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. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS APRIL 7, 1982 PAGE 5 concerned citizen or the Board should check with Westlake officials; he also extended an invitation to anyone to visit the home and see the operation for themselves. Property values in the surrounding area do not appear to have decreased according to the statistics that Mr. Archer produced (however, none of the adjacent homes have been on the market). Mr. Archer pointed out that when West Haven previously presented a request for a home in a single residential area it was suggested that such a home would be more appropriate in the general retail business area. He maintains that this home is a like and similar use to other permitted uses in the General Retail area. Mr. Szarka, an adjacent neighbor, objected to the proposal, since he has 3 daughters at home and this home is only 10' from his house. Mr. Archer explained that they had more control over their people than there was in most homes, and certainly more than there would be if the property were used for commercial use. If any such problems did occur, the foundation would want to discuss it with Mr. Szarka and take disciplinary action if nec- essary, even expelling an occupant if necessary. He also repeated that the occupants were car.efully screened and were not mentally ill, only retarded. A staff inember alway accompanies a resident on shopping trips,-etc. Mr. Szarka also mentioned that the City would be loosing tax money from the building since this is a non- profit home. Mr. Archer responded to questions that an addition is planned, but this will have to be reviewed by.the Planning Commission but the house will still have a.residential appearance, even though it is in a Retail Business Area. The addition would be constructed to the rear. Mrs. Stemmer, a neighbor, stated that this area.is not safe for the inhabitants because of the traffic problems there. Councilman Wilamosky agreed that depending on the mental age of the residents, this could be a dangerous location. Mr. Archer agreed, however, outside activity will probably%be restricted to the rear of the property. A member of the audience who has a retarded 4 year old stated that he had taught his daughter to stay in the boundries of her yard and he did not feel that it would be-impossible to teach a retarded adult his boundries. Chairman Remmel read the permitted uses in the Regail District. A Group/Family home for the retarded is not-.a specific use, but he pointed out that there were several similar permitted usesa Based on the Zoning Codes the Board is empowered to make a ruling.on this issuee C. Remmel moved that this Board,finds, after hearing the evidence and reviewing the application, that the proposed.use persuant to the application is a like and similar use permitted in the General Retail Business District, seconded by R. Bugala, and unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. ?I . C. Remmel, Chairman B. Oring9 ecording Secretary