Even though a group of homes for ex-convicts transitioning to life beyond prison has been in existence since 2005, area residents turned out in force at Tuesday’s Springfield City Council meeting demanding the House of Rainbow organization move out.
Enos Park Neighborhood Association president Steve Combs says a change in zoning to allow the group homes negates what area neighbors want in the area.
“Things don’t start by changing R-2s to R-3s (high density housing) and congregating in a high density area individuals with all sorts of problems such as whatever ‘ex’ is but it doesn’t sound like ‘ex’ is good” says Combs.
At issue…it wasn’t until a murder in the area led city officials to discover the violation of zoning regulations. A resident of one of the homes was connected to that death last year. Since then, Dave Kettlekamp, owner and operator of the four homes has applied to have the zoning change. A request that was ultimately denied Tuesday night. Kettlekamp’s lawyer says he may file an appeal.