City Council denies Hope House’s Special Permit request

QUINCY — Quincy City Council concurred with the Plan Commission’s recommendation to deny Hope House’s request for a Special Permit to allow the use of 2122 Jefferson Street as a maternity house for pregnant mothers at risk of homelessness.

Despite four citizens speaking during Public Comment in favor of Hope House, there was almost no discussion before the Council voted. Mia Monroe, a former resident of a similar maternity home, was one such speaker.

“I’m doing very well now because of the maternity home that I attended… A maternity home can build a better future for our town by creating more valuable members of society,” said Monroe.

Ray Wheeler, a member of the Hope House board, said “I want to do the right thing. I believe that, as a Christian, I need to be there to catch you.”

At last week’s Plan Commission Meeting, neighbors expressed concerns over the turnover rate, dips in property value, and extra noise.

Many of the neighbors expressed that while they did support Hope House’s mission, they did not want it located nearby.

With the property being in the 4th Ward, Alderman Karol Ehmen (R-4th Ward) moved to deny the special permit. Alderman Laura McReynolds (R-5th Ward) asked Planning Director Jason Parrott why the proposed zoning change was to make it a multi-family home.

“Our code does not have a definition for a maternity house,” said Parrott. “What we most closely linked it to was more of a boarding house, which requires multi-family zoning.”

One alderman asked “I thought we were going to table this?” Then, Alderman Tony Sassen (R-4th Ward) requested “Call the question” which means he did not want any further discussion on the topic. Ehmen seconded Sassen’s motion.

According to Robert’s Rules of Order, to properly call the question, a member must first be recognized by the chair, then make the motion, which must be seconded by another member. A two-thirds vote is then required to pass the motion and stop debate. 

While Mayor Linda Moore asked for the second, which Ehmen provided, there was no vote take on the call of the question as there should have been.

Moore asked for a voice vote to concur with the Plan Commission’s recommendation. Moore accepted the voice vote to concur, amid a smattering of “no” votes.

President of Hope House Todd Hastings said Hope House will try again, more than likely at a new location.

“Well, we’re back in the market and we’ll begin looking for new homes,” he said. “We’ll be back.”

In other Plan Commission-related votes, the subdivision of 2208 South 12th Street into three lots was approved, the special permit to allow construction at 1002 North 24^th St. was approved, the subdivision of 1603 Center Avenue into two lots was approved, and the special permit for 906 Lind Street to be used as a supervised visitation center was approved.

All resolutions passed, including making a more than $33,000 membership payment to Two Rivers Regional Land Bank with 7th Ward funds, upgrading Police vehicles, purchasing memberships for police officers to remain members of the West Central Illinois Criminal Justice Council, and contracting with the University of Missouri – Columbia Fire and Rescue Training Institute for training.

There were two presentations: One from 911 Director Jessica Douglas on how 911 operates and is funded and another from Purchasing Agent Mary-Ann Ervin to detail the move to a new moving to a new purchasing program, BidNet Direct.

Mayor Moore also proclaimed July 11 as John Quincy Adams Day. Adams’ birthday was July 11, and he went on to inspire the names of both Quincy and Adams County. In his honor, the Quincy Historical Society will be having a celebration on July 19 from 10 am to 3 pm at 416 Jersey.