The Butler Zoning Hearing Board approved a special exception Tuesday for Robin's Home to open as transitional housing for women veterans and their children.

The unanimous approval came after a two-hour hearing in the City Building during which some residents living around the house at 401 E. Pearl St. objected to the development and many veterans voiced support for it.

About 50 people attended the hearing, which was held because the home is in a high-density residential zone and needs a special exception for transitional housing in that zone.

The board attached two conditions to the special exception. One limits the total number of veterans and children allowed to stay there to eight. The second condition requires smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in compliance with municipal regulations and the International Property Maintenance Code.

City building code official John Evans said two of the four proposed parking spaces can't be used because vehicles parking there would block the sidewalk.

Mary Chitwood, a Butler veteran who founded the home, said the facility will open in late May or early June after the detectors and a donated air conditioner and furnace are installed.

She said the home will accept referrals from Catholic Charities and VA Butler Healthcare's homeless team.

The first comments about the home were letters from residents living near the home that were read into the hearing record.

Letters from Clark and Kathleen Gordon of North Elm Street and Deborah Collins of East Pearl Street expressed opposition to the special exception. The Gordons' letter acknowledges that housing and support services for women veterans are needed, but questions the supervision of the facility, argues that the yard is too small for children to play in and asks for an assurance that the home won't reduce the value of their property.

Collins' letter said the house is too small for eight people, there is no place for children to play, there is not enough parking for guests and visitors, and the facility will lower the value of other properties in the neighborhood.

Jeff Smith, a city councilman who lives on North McKean Street, sent a letter on his own behalf asking how long people can stay in the home, if there are age limits for the children staying there, and what the home will do to make sure the veterans staying there are not using drugs.

Scott Andreassi, an attorney with Charlton Law of Sarver who represented Robin's Home, said the home is trying to address concerns raised by residents and wants to be a good neighbor, but the goal is to serve women veterans.

“Robin's Home has taken steps to address those issues,” Andreassi said.

He said there are other transitional housing facilities in residential neighborhoods in the city.

Chitwood said the house was blighted and vacant for 20 years, except for squatters, before it was purchased by donations and renovated. She said security cameras installed to ease neighbor's concerns allow her to see who comes and goes from the home.

Auto dealership owner Dennis Baglier bought the house for Robin's Home and the deed is in his name, so the property is required to pay taxes, Chitwood said.

Following the hearing, a community leader contacted Baglier and donated money to pay for the detectors. Because the home has been renovated, it will increase the value of neighboring properties and deter crime, Chitwood said.

People living in the home will be tested if case workers suspect them of using drugs and only approved visitors will be allowed to visit, she said.

Only four of the veterans staying in the home would be allowed to park their vehicles at the home, she said.

Andreassi said veterans will have to sign an agreement to stay in the home. It will contain a list of rules with which they must comply. The list is being prepared.

Chitwood said there are no restrictions on the length of time veterans can stay as long as they are working toward their goals, which include finding permanent homes. The veterans will be required to cut grass and do other maintenance work, and case workers will visit every day, she said.

Roy Ramone, a veteran and coordinator of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services' CompeerCORPS program, which assists veterans with mental, physical and homeless issues, was one of many veterans who spoke in favor of the special exception.

The 2018 Butler County Veteran of the Year, Ramone said he was homeless for a time after he returned from duty. Homelessness is a problem for veterans, especially women, he said.

“We could be the starting point for the entire nation by showing support for these female veterans,” Ramone said.

He said veterans take pride in what they do and predicted that women living in the home would make it the nicest-looking property in the neighborhood. More than a dozen other veterans said they support the home.

Noreen Neigh of East Pearl Street said security cameras are not substitutes for supervision. She said she worries about domestic violence problems.

Jeff Orsborn of East Pearl Street said he is concerned that veterans from outside of the county would be allowed to stay in the home, and there is a likelihood of the home causing a nuisance in the neighborhood because there is no round-the-clock supervision.

“Unrelated children in the same house without supervision is dangerous,” he said.

Lyndsay Burrik, executive director of Connect Inc., which is assisting Robin's Home, said a group home opened across the street from the home three years ago and there have been no complaints about it.

A Connect Inc. social worker said Neighborhood Legal Services will help the veterans obtain protection from abuse orders if necessary and help with other parental rights issues.

Rita Lane of North Monroe Street said the house was unsafe and unsightly before it was renovated by Robin's Home. She said there are no services in the county for women veterans. She presented the board with a petition with 30 signatures of people who support the home.

Sam Zurzolo, a Butler Township commissioner and veteran, said there are playgrounds near the home for children and noted that the home is taxable. He commended Baglier for buying the house for Robin's Home.

“We got to take care of our female veterans,” Zurzolo said.

Robert Shook of Second Street said the concerns expressed by neighbors already exist in the neighborhood. He said the house used to have three apartments, and if those apartments were there today, no one would screen the tenants.

Mary Kitchen, a Presbyterian minister who lives on Franklin Street, supported the project.

“It's the right thing to do for female veterans,” she said.