Joan Cochran asks Danville-Boyle County Board of Adjustments members on Thursday not to approve Holly's House for single mothers and their children. Cochran has lived on Jean Drive, the street on which Holly's House will be located, for more than 30 years.
The Danville-Boyle County Board of Adjustments voted 5-1 Thursday to approve a conditional-use permit for what will become a Christian home for single mothers on Jean Drive.
Several residents of the street, which also houses the Danville-Boyle County Senior Citizens Center, pleaded with board members to not issue the permit for Holly’s House. Gynecologist Kimberly Frazier applied for the permit because she wants to create a family environment where three young women and their children can grow in a structured Christian environment and have a chance for a better life.
Frazier named Holly’s House after a young woman she had hoped to help but who could not break the cycle of single motherhood. Frazier pointed out that many teenagers who become mothers early in life still hope for a chance at an education, but that all too often they meet the next “Mr. Wrong” and repeat the process of unexpected pregnancy. Young women who live at Holly’s House will not bring any pets, will be limited to one child each, have curfews, and submit to random drug testing. However, Holly’s House is not an appropriate place for any woman with a substance abuse history, Frazier said.
Rita Hooper, a resident of Jean Drive for 23 years, said she is concerned about the amount of traffic such a residence will bring to her street.
“It’s good for the girls but not so much for our neighborhood,” Hooper said.
Joan Cochran, a resident of the street for more than 30 years, said her primary concerns are noise, security and traffic.
“It’s kind of scary for me,” Cochran said of the proposal. “Anything could happen.”
Board member Dr. Tom Ross made a motion to deny Frazier’s request, but his motion died due to the lack of a second. After additional lengthy discussion, Mike Perros made a motion to issue the Holly’s House permit with a number of conditions attached. Susan Hunstad seconded the motion.
In six months, the board will review the matter to ensure that Holly’s House adheres to the following conditions:
Frazier hopes at least one young woman and her child will be able to call Holly’s House home as soon as possible. Her goal is to have long-term residents who stay for several years so they can get a college education. She and a team of volunteers will work closely with the young women to ensure they access the appropriate financial aid from the government. Frazier expects at least some of the residents to hold part-time employment.
Several residents of the street, which also houses the Danville-Boyle County Senior Citizens Center, pleaded with board members to not issue the permit for Holly’s House. Gynecologist Kimberly Frazier applied for the permit because she wants to create a family environment where three young women and their children can grow in a structured Christian environment and have a chance for a better life.
Frazier named Holly’s House after a young woman she had hoped to help but who could not break the cycle of single motherhood. Frazier pointed out that many teenagers who become mothers early in life still hope for a chance at an education, but that all too often they meet the next “Mr. Wrong” and repeat the process of unexpected pregnancy. Young women who live at Holly’s House will not bring any pets, will be limited to one child each, have curfews, and submit to random drug testing. However, Holly’s House is not an appropriate place for any woman with a substance abuse history, Frazier said.
Rita Hooper, a resident of Jean Drive for 23 years, said she is concerned about the amount of traffic such a residence will bring to her street.
“It’s good for the girls but not so much for our neighborhood,” Hooper said.
Joan Cochran, a resident of the street for more than 30 years, said her primary concerns are noise, security and traffic.
“It’s kind of scary for me,” Cochran said of the proposal. “Anything could happen.”
Board member Dr. Tom Ross made a motion to deny Frazier’s request, but his motion died due to the lack of a second. After additional lengthy discussion, Mike Perros made a motion to issue the Holly’s House permit with a number of conditions attached. Susan Hunstad seconded the motion.
In six months, the board will review the matter to ensure that Holly’s House adheres to the following conditions:
- Additional parking spaces on the property so neighbors will not be disturbed by house residents or their visitors.
- At least one of the house parents will supervise the property virtually all of the time, especially in the evening and overnight hours. The current live-in house parents are Amy and Ron Byrd, a Christian couple who share an extensive background in teaching and conflict resolution.
- Frazier will arrange the placement of shrubbery in the front yard so people cannot park on the grass.
- The backyard of the property will have a privacy fence that is 6 to 8 feet tall.
- Holly’s House will issue an invitation to two Jean Drive residents to sit on the board of directors.
Frazier hopes at least one young woman and her child will be able to call Holly’s House home as soon as possible. Her goal is to have long-term residents who stay for several years so they can get a college education. She and a team of volunteers will work closely with the young women to ensure they access the appropriate financial aid from the government. Frazier expects at least some of the residents to hold part-time employment.
