NORTH BATTLEFORD - The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords is assuring North Battleford residents their proposed transitional living facility on 104th Street will be safe for those in the area.
“From what I’ve been reading and hearing, there is concern that it’s not going to be a safe place for residents,” said Lighthouse director Joannie Maclean about their proposed discretionary use application for 1671 - 104th St. in the city.
Maclean is anxious to dispel misconceptions about the project, which is to set up an expanded transitional living home for upwards of 10 residents.
“What it is is a 10-bedroom home for people who need some extra support to build the skills of being able to live on their own,” said MacLean.
“So, we’re going to work with them to help them build the skills, and eventually they’ll be out in the community on their own.”
There will be an intake process to determine who will make up the residents at the home.
“There’s a team of people who work with the residents and the clients, and we all sit down and make sure they’re a good fit for the home before we accept them into the program.”
The location already houses up to four clients, but a discretionary use application at City Hall is required to increase the number they can house at that location. The application is to set up a Residential Care Facility - Type II in the R2 - Low Density Residential Zoning District.
North Battleford council heard a presentation in October from Lighthouse directors about the proposal.
The city has received letters of opposition from area residents including from nearby Caleb Village, expressing concerns about safety and increased traffic and noise if the application was approved.
Maclean is assuring residents the proposal is not for a homeless shelter similar to the one downtown.
“I know there’s confusion that it is like a shelter, but it’s nothing like the shelter,” said Maclean.
She said The Lighthouse has been doing some outreach in the community. Maclean had met with residents at Caleb Village about their plans, and also plans to put together some information for the residents in the area.
Their next step is to go door to door there and introduce themselves so people are aware and they know who to contact with questions and concerns, and “clear up some of the misconceptions.”
The indication from Maclean is that their application will be back before council, likely at their Dec. 13 meeting.
