Ascenda, represented by attorney Robert Hagerty, proposed the shelter under the program “A Place to Call Home,” intending to relocate from Salem County to Glassboro. The facility aims to provide temporary housing for up to ten women and their children, with the goal of securing permanent housing within three to six months. The shelter will offer 24-hour staffing, with two staff members on-site at all times, and will focus on assisting women from Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem counties.

Board members inquired about various aspects of the proposed shelter, including the demographics of the residents and the facility’s impact on the neighborhood. Gwen Holdsworth of Ascenda addressed these inquiries by explaining that the residents would typically be mothers with young children, often with a history of substance use, highlighting the shelter as a sober living environment. The shelter’s operations include random drug testing to ensure resident sobriety. Residents are allowed to have vehicles, although none have been reported to possess one in the current year.

The discussion also examined the shelter’s alignment with the industrial zone’s regulations. Professional planner Larara Devichro and another presenter provided insight into the site’s current zoning classification and its history as a group home and office space. They argued that the use as an emergency shelter, while not explicitly permitted, aligns with the community’s needs and introduces no changes to the property’s infrastructure or neighborhood dynamic.

Public comments included concerns from local resident Jolene Ruer, who emphasized the importance of understanding the shelter’s operations given its proximity to her home and the neighborhood. Ruer expressed worries about increased traffic and the safety of both the shelter’s residents and the surrounding community, especially with the presence of nearby cannabis facilities. These concerns were addressed by representatives who assured that the facility would adhere to local noise ordinances and manage curfews effectively.

The board’s deliberations highlighted the balance between community needs and zoning regulations. The facility was framed as an inherently beneficial use, akin to hospitals and schools, providing a crucial service without altering the site’s physical characteristics. The board carefully considered the facility’s compliance with state licensing and the absence of detriment to neighboring properties.

In the final moments of the meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve the variance, allowing the shelter to operate within the designated zone. The decision came after a motion was made, with a focus on the use variance rather than the inherently beneficial use status.

Following the discussion on the shelter, the board transitioned to workshop activities, reviewing various upcoming development proposals in Glassboro. These included a demolition and construction project on North Main Street for a new nine-bedroom house, a business venture at the old Ricky Rolls building, and a solar canopy proposal for Express Food Mart. Moreover, a residential proposal to add a sixth bedroom to a home on Williamsburg Court was also considered, raising questions about bedroom-related zoning regulations.