Homeless shelter issue returns to Council

Van Wert independent

The issue of whether a men’s homeless shelter will be located in a former union hall on North Market Street looks like it’s headed back to Van Wert City Council.

A number of residents living near the proposed Haven of Hope homeless shelter appealed a decision of the Van Wert Planning Commission, which ruled the shelter was an appropriate usage for the building’s B-3 (business) zoning.

Residents opposed to that decision, led by North Market Street resident Chris Wilson, then brought the issue before City Council, which advised the residents to appeal the decision to the City Zoning Board of Appeals. During that body’s meeting Thursday evening, the appeals board overruled the original decision approving the shelter as an appropriate usage, meaning the issue will likely return to City Council, which will now have to either approve or reject the Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision.

Meanwhile, whatever decision Council members make — for or against the shelter — could be appealed to Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.