Jodi White, a member of Huntsville’s Syrian Refugee Sponsor group, was before the Town’s planning committee on January 13, looking for the required approval in order to house a Syrian refugee family beside Trinity United Church.
The structure, formerly known as the Manse building, is located in an area designated as a Central Business District Mixed Use Zone. While that designation under Huntsville’s Official Plan allows for a residential component, it’s only allowed in the upper floors of a building not on the main floor.
“Our hope is to house a Syrian refugee family in this house, in the former Manse, for one year. We have received an overwhelming response from the community in terms of supporting this family for the year and we’d like to ask that the first floor be included,” said White.
Following discussions among committee members about the duration of the approval, White was asked whether a temporary approval would impact her group.
“No, our commitment is for one year only,” she said.
There is a prevailing wish in the group that that would become a designated house for refugees in our community and every year we would sponsor a different family, but that has not evolved for sure, or in concrete. It’s just something we’ve talked about because our community has been so supportive.SRS member Jodi White
Staff recommended that the request be approved. The committee opted to approve the request for a temporary period of three years, after which the applicant would have to return in order to seek permission to renew the exemption. Permission was also granted for a day nursery as a permitted use.
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