Zoning board approves Patriot Home transitional housing for veterans, asks petitioner to secure parking

The Montgomery City Zoning Board of Adjustment on Tuesday approved a special exception to allow the Patriot Home transitional housing program for veterans at 458 South Jackson Street, but required the operator to pursue additional parking.

Renee Webster, who said she bought the house "to do something back for veterans," and program manager Lucinda Jackson described a structured residential program that will offer therapy partnerships, telehealth, three meals a day and financial training. "This program is the Patriot's Home. It's a structured program," Jackson said in her presentation.

Board members focused discussion on where residents, staff and visiting clinicians would park. Chair John Stanley noted the property has two off-street spaces; Jackson and Webster told the board residents would generally not bring vehicles and that daytime staffing plus partner transport would limit trips. The applicant also said the house has seven bedrooms and three full bathrooms, with 10 permanent beds and up to four emergency beds for short-term (about 90 days) use.

Board member concerns about curbside parking and truck access led to a motion to approve the project with a stipulation: the petitioner must continue efforts to acquire or lease an adjacent or nearby lot for parking. The motion—moved from the dais and seconded—passed by voice vote.

Neighbors and some board members also discussed enforcing quiet hours and limiting visitors; Jackson said "visitor visitors will not be allowed" and that quiet hours would be 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The board noted it can require compliance if complaints arise and asked staff to provide information on next steps should neighborhood nuisance issues occur.

The board’s conditional approval allows the Patriot Home to open under the terms discussed; the operator was encouraged to coordinate with city staff about contacting the state property appraisals office and pursuing purchase or lease of the vacant lot adjacent to the residence.