There will be no change in the process for the owners of unlicensed personal care homes to locate in Bryan’s residential neighborhoods.
A 6-1 city council vote Tuesday night followed a 90 minute public hearing. The council heard from a dozen opponents and six supporters to recommendations from the planning and zoning commission that the council rejected.
When asked about banning unlicensed care homes in residential conservation districts (something sought by some of the public hearing speakers), assistant city attorney Meredith Riede told the council they’re flirting with the U.S. Supreme Court and the Fair Housing Act.
Comments from Meredith Riede.
Recommendations from the p-and-z commission included registration with the city and area agency on aging instead of going through a permit process. The council’s motion adds a conditional use permit category for those seeking to locate an unlicensed personal care home serving up to three clients. Currently, personal care homes are considered nursing homes.
Councilman Mike Southerland voted against the main motion after his amendment requiring state licensing of homes with up to three clients died for the lack of a second.