A LOLA yelled out to Joe "go ahead, lie some more!!"

[sheclown]

MissFixIt:

The house in question has been operating this way for years.  It has had multiple inspections (for years) and deemed to be operating legally (for years).

This is not a new place.

[Livein32206]

Just how many problems have any of these sober houses caused? Have they been an ongoing problem, other than people just not wanting them on the same block, street or neighborhood? I'm curious if anyone has statistics on this.

I personally don't care for any residential housing that has a high turnover rate, which includes rentals, apartments, rooming houses, sober houses, etc., but that's just a personal opinion because so many of the people that live in them don't seem to take the same pride in being a good neighbor, in keeping the property well maintained and cleaned. This isn't to say that it includes all rentals or the others I listed, just those with a high turnover in occupants.

I would not and do not care if there's a rental, sober house, apartments, etc., that are good neighbors in that they keep the property well cared for and are not crime-related issues (drugs, etc.) I have no problem with a sober house that keeps a close watch over their residents, to ensure that they remain sober, that they aren't causing problems. But pretty much the same goes for landlords who rent to people who are problamatic to the neighbors well being.

So if there's not been a problem with illegal activity, with being loud and disorderly, etc., then why should it matter who is living next door to you, or on the same block, the same street, the same neighborhood? There are plenty of neighbors that have purchased and reside near where I do, that I'd love to see move away, and no, they aren't residents of a sober house or rentals.

If the houses in which these people are speaking against have been problems, then yes, by all means step up and do what you can to rectify the problem. I would think the first step would be to contact the owner/manager, etc. and discuss your concerns with them, most times an amicable solution can be reached.

[sheclown]

Or should we all just go back to minding our own business and stop trying to tell people where and how they may legally live?

AMEN!

[fsu813]

Mr. Gossip telling people to mind thier own business.

That's rich. =)

[Hypocrite]

Why the fuss?

Would anyone prefer a drunkard house to a sober house?

that was my thought, too.

i'm also (partially) in agreement w/ chrisWUFgator about the empty lots--i'm sick ov seeïng them, and just as sick ov seeïng obviously new homes in what's supposed to be a historic area.

Would you rather see the lot empty or a brand new house being built?  The damage is done, the old house is gone, get over it.

[hooplady]

However, the property appraiser's database states that the building has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and 2800 square feet and that it sits on a lot that is 29 feet wide.  Sounds like it is not really suitable housing for 10 people.  I can certainly understand why owners of neighboring properties might not want the traffic (foot or otherwise) and noise associated with ten people living on a 29 foot wide strip of property.

I understand your logic, Miss Fixit, but the fact remains that the property is already zoned Multi-Family.  It does seem rather small for a triplex but in theory, three octo-Mom families could move in and it would be perfectly legal.  The zoning is already there.

[fsu813]

what's the "landslide of 39"?   not familiar with that....

[ChriswUfGator]

"Landslide of 39 people' talking about what the 'majority' of the neighborhood wants.

LMFAO! Bwahahaaaaa...so true!

[lucinda]

Just how many problems have any of these sober houses caused? Have they been an ongoing problem, other than people just not wanting them on the same block, street or neighborhood? I'm curious if anyone has statistics on this.

I can't give statistics, but can relate my personal experience with the ones located on Pearl. 

Once while walking my dog by the house right on the corner of 7th and Pearl, a man sitting on the porch made an especially lewd comment about my dog and me.  It was pretty disconcerting, so I chose to no longer pass the house on my walks or runs.  Overall not a huge deal, but I certainly didn't want to encouter that guy again.

In another incident, my husband befriended one of the residents from a different sober house that is between 7th and Pearl.  He wasn't allowed to stay in the house one night because he showed up drunk.  He then came to our house to see if he could stay with us.  We have children, so there was no way we could allow someone in that condition to stay in our home.  The guy then went on to steal several thousand dollars worth of equipment from a church downtown that had been trying to help him get back on his feet.

I am pretty ambivalent about whether or not there are boarding houses in Springfield.  There are definitely larger issues to address.  It's just that my personal experiences with them has been less than pleasant.

[chris farley]

Landslice of 39, (they were the voters at SPAR), but that sure beats the multitude of 4 which showed up for the new organization called SHARP
Why do we keep beating this to death.

[fsu813]

oh, i see. 39 people came to vote that day. that's where the # comes from. the other 120 don't count.... =)

[fsu813]

glad you asked.

it depends. how many of those are property owners in the 'hood?

[ChriswUfGator]

glad you asked.

it depends. how many of those are property owners in the 'hood?

And here we are back to what pisses people off the most about SPAR, which is that if you don't live in that little 1sq mile radius, then your views don't count and you're not entitled to an opinion. All the business owners, landlords, investors, renters, and the people who frequent those businesses, etc., etc., etc., are just dismissed because they don't actually sleep there at night.

[strider]

lucinda . Welcome to Metro Jacksonville.  When did these two incidences happen?  Is it only two in how many years that you lived here?  Are you aware that steps have been taken to do something with those that can not return to the halfway houses because they chose to use again?  Do you know that even then they can be helped only if they choose to return to the house at all, which many do not do, they just don’t bother to come home.  And one bad person who stole from a church …do you really believe that is truly representative?

Still have not heard from an actual neighbor of the houses that are deemed illegal by the Lolas.

FSU813: it depends. how many of those are property owners in the 'hood?

Once again the policy is that unless you own the house you live in, you do not count.  Springfield needs the higher density that renters bring or the commercial places everyone says they want won’t be here.  Yet, a very vocal SPAR Council supporter says, as we have heard from many a Lola, that unless you own, you do not count.

Then if you own a home or business here, but do not live here, you also do not count.

This is the mentality that begets the polices that will guarantee the ultimate failure of Springfield if they continue.

[Sportmotor]

or....

residents don't want halfway/sober/boarding/rooming houses opening up next to them. for various reasons.

you're gonna have to get rid of almost everyone if you want that to change.

I know I would be fairly pissed off if one opened next to me, or even close to me.
btw can I come to some of these meetings for entertainment? These sound fun to go and watch.