Councilmembers voting against permit cite variety of reasons
By Cathy Kozlowicz
Correspondent
A three-year project to house a domestic violence shelter in downtown Elkhorn, which would have offered its clients the opportunity to be part of the local community, according to shelter advocates, was denied by the Common Council Monday night.
The Council denied the request for a conditional use permit for New Beginnings – Association for the Prevention of Family Violence by a 4-2 vote.
The shelter had been eyeing a former medical clinic building at 20 N. Church St., across from the Elkhorn Police Department and Walworth County Government Center.
Alderman Tim Shiroda made the motion to deny the application for the permit because he questioned measurements of the driveway and parking areas in data submitted by New Beginnings, noting he didn’t think they would be adequate for the shelter’s proposed site plan.
Ron Dunwiddie, Karel Young and Tom Myrin voted to deny the application while Frank Boggs and Scott McClory voted against the motion.
According to the ordinance and zoning requirements, the shelter needs to have 27 parking slots. Shiroda said he measured the parking lot and disagreed with the site plan measurements presented to the council.
New Beginnings Executive Director Heidi Lloyd said the plans presented by the architect shows that the parking spaces do fit the requirements.
Lloyd said in the 40 years of New Beginnings, formerly referred to as the APFV, many people were helped – approximately 30,000 – and lives were saved but there is a great need for the shelter.
“We heard the neighbors loud and clear,” she said… “We want to be good neighbors.”
Caitlyn Buck said it was a struggle to find a place in Elkhorn and to find a way to get out of the abusive situation she was in but with help from New Beginnings she and her son are safe.
Attorney Dennis Lynch, who represents New Beginnings, noted that the building on North Church Street has been vacant for five years.
“The last thing Elkhorn needs is a vacant building,” Lynch said.
John Maier, an attorney, whose law office is at 114 N. Church St., commended Julie Taylor – who would share the driveway with the shelter – for putting a lot of money into her property to improve the neighborhood and said everyone supports the idea of a shelter.
“My heart is heavy. I feel badly. We are not here to oppose New Beginnings, but the location of the site,” he added.
To read the complete story from Monday’s meeting, pick up a copy of your local Southern Lakes Newspapers publication including the Elkhorn Independent, East Troy Times, East Troy News, Sharon Reporter, Whitewater Register and Walworth Times.
