Letters to the Editor
STARLight Center's exemption was discussed in 2021
I am writing to expand on the Aug. 28, 2022, Eagle-Gazette article regarding the construction of the STARLight Center on Locust Street. While I do not want to minimize the concerns of the neighbors, many of the issues the article raised were addressed in 2021 when this facility was proposed. The south side of Locust Street from High to Maple Streets is zoned Commercial-General. Under the Lancaster Codified Ordinances, a “Special Exception” is required to allow for this type of use in a C G district. Such an exception is routine, contemplated by the code and does not change the zoning. A special exception use is decided by the Lancaster Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA - five professionals who reside in Lancaster and have knowledge of the City’s zoning code).
ADAMH’s application for a special exception was introduced at the May 4, 2021, meeting of the BZA. Prior to that meeting, local property owners were notified of the application for a special exception as required by the Ohio Revised Code. Locust Street residents appeared at the May BZA meeting to ask questions and express concerns. Due to their apprehension, ADAMH volunteered to table its application to allow for dialogue with area residents. The ADAMH leadership consulted with concerned citizens for the next two months before the July 12, 2021, BZA meeting. At the July BZA meeting, representatives of ADAMH addressed both the BZA members’ and neighbors’ reservations from the May meeting. Area residents were also present and expressed continued dissatisfaction. ADAMH’s Executive Director and their consultants satisfactorily answered the BZA members’ questions and offered solutions for the neighbors’ concerns. After deliberating, BZA members voted unanimously to approve the Special Exception. The July BZA meeting minutes can be found at https://www.ci.lancaster.oh.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07122021-959
While I understand some apprehension, the neighbors’ concerns are reminiscent of the strongly espoused fears expressed when Pearl House was proposed a number of years ago. None of those fears materialized and Pearl House became the genesis of a revitalization of the southwest corner of Downtown Lancaster. I am confident that a similar result will be forthcoming with the STARLight Center.
David L. Scheffler
Lancaster Mayor
STARLight Center needed in the community
As a Fairfield County resident, a Fairfield County teacher, a former Youth Director, and as the current chairperson of the Fairfield County ADAMH Board, I know people in our community are struggling with mental health and substance use issues. I also know that the individuals who are struggling exist in every neighborhood and every family of our society.When residents voted in 2019 for a new ADAMH levy, they did it because they believed in a solution. They recognized a void in the system and voted yes. They voted to build a place that could immediately help those in urgent need.We heard from community leaders, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement who expressed their concerns because they had front-row seats to a problem that needed a solution.In our community currently, there is no place for someone to go who is in crisis with mental health or substance use. Can you imagine struggling without a place to go? Can you imagine feeling hopeless without a person to call? That’s what many in our community face.I recently read an article about the neighbors living around the STARLight Center and their expressed concerns, titles “STARLight Center location spurs complaints from some Locust Street residents.” We hear and understand the concern of the residents. We have held meetings with the concerned residents and continue to welcome dialogue with the residents in the neighborhood and across our county. In addition to our commitment we have for the people in our county who are struggling with mental health and substance use issues, we are also committed to remaining good stewards and neighbors with the STARLight Center. We continue to invite communication to work with us to find a solution, and we’re incredibly grateful to build the STARLight Center in a neighborhood that is an integral part of Lancaster. I hope we can all come together with a renewed vision to be a ripple that continues to improve the lives of all of our Fairfield County families.Joseph Palmer
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Letters to the Editor
