COUNCIL OK'S HESED HOUSE OF HOPE
Timken Foundation Gives $100K Boost

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Thursday was a big day for the Hesed House of Hope. First, The Timken Foundation presented the United Way of Lincoln County with a check for $100,000. The money, according to Hesed board chairman Cathy Davis, will be earmarked for the new homeless shelter.

"We're very pleased to announce that," Davis told the Lincolnton City Council late Thursday.

The shelter, which will house a maximum of 35 residents, was also given the green light Thursday night by the Lincolnton City Council. The council unanimously approved the conditional use permit request that would allow construction of the shelter. The process was held up in Septemnber when Council learned Hesed House of Hope officials missed a critical planning board meeting. The public hearing on the issue -- and subsequent vote -- was postponed until the October meeting.

City planning director Steve Gurley told council that city staff and the planning board recommended approval of the project, especially with the onset of colder weather. Gurley, however, said there were still some things Hesed needed to do to comply with city regulations.

"We'll need a detailed screening and parking lot landscaping plan," said Gurley. "This includes what type of trees, shrubs and fencing need to be used."

Gurley added Hesed needs to provide detailed utility information; the exact percentage of unused surface on the site; and the location of wooded areas on the site.

The new facility will be opened from 5 p.m. - 7 a.m. seven days per week. For every 12 shelter residents, two staff members must be on site. At maximum capacity of 35 residents, a total of six staff members must be on site. The shelter will be built on 1.77 acres of land near the intersection of East Lincoln and Linden Street.