Freedom House decision postponed again

Without any explanation, Kalispell City Council on Tuesday tabled consideration of a conditional use permit for the Freedom House.

It was the second time in as many months the item was tabled.

The road to approval of a conditional use permit for Freedom House, which is operating as a clean and sober house for men, seemed clearer after City Attorney Charlie Harball noted that a recent zoning change eliminated a restriction on the number of people in a family to four people.

Freedom House had requested a conditional use permit for eight people, but currently has only five occupants.

Jerri Guiffrida, who owns nearby rental property, asked that the home at 1128 Third Ave. W. be required to become handicapped-accessible and brought up to fire code. Harball said the city would require handicapped-accessibility only if a tenant requests it or a remodel is done.

Randall Marr, a retired Lakeside attorney who founded Freedom House and subsequently resigned over a philosophical issue, recently was re-elected as president.

“I resigned because they wanted to move the house,” he said after Tuesday’s meeting. He noted that Rod Nash was president for a few weeks, including during the Aug. 2 council meeting when the matter was tabled the first time, but recently resigned, as did Treasurer Joi Gratny.

In addition to Marr, other new board members are Fran Stone, secretary; Annette Perrone, treasurer; and members-at-large Ernie Thureno, Johnny Cochrane and Bob Parkinson.

“We’re a little frustrated with the process,” Marr said after the council tabled the item again.

Marr said Harball and Planning Director Tom Jentz recommended that the council approve the conditional use permit with two conditions: that Freedom House host quarterly meetings for two years to improve neighborhood relations and remove a sign. The sign was removed prior to the Aug. 2 meeting.

Council member Randy Kenyon made a motion to approve the permit, a motion that was seconded by Jim Atkinson.

Tim Kluesner made a motion that was seconded by Wayne Saverud to require the neighborhood meetings, but neither motion was voted on.

Jeff Zauner, who cast the lone vote against bringing the item off the table earlier in the evening, motioned to table it again, which was seconded by Mayor Tammi Fisher without discussion.

It was approved 6-3, with Atkinson, Kenyon and Kari Gabriel dissenting.

During limited discussion prior to the vote, Kenyon asked Marr about the Freedom House success rate. Marr said two men have lived in the home since April and are doing very well. Another man lived there four months and recently moved out, while two men were asked to leave because they relapsed. Marr said the men didn’t relapse while physically in the home.

Marr later said Bill Hawk continues to serve as a volunteer house manager.

“We’re just trying to provide a safe harbor for guys who are trying to get off alcohol and drugs,” he said. The Freedom House attorney in Washington, D.C., Steve Polin, said the city has engaged in discriminatory practice, Marr said.

“To continue to table it is a denial,” he said.

Marr said a couple of neighbors have a not-in-my-backyard attitude. “They want us in a business area. We have a right to be in a residential area,” he said.

After the meeting, Zauner said he wanted to give the council more time to research the issue and get more information from staff. He said just voting to cast a vote is not fair to residents and the organization.

“We need to come up with the proper conditions that will work for surrounding residents and the Freedom House,” he said.

During council members’ comments at the end of the meeting, Kenyon asked for a work session on Freedom House.

“It’s unfair to them. We’re going nowhere with this,” he said, adding that council is “ducking the issue. The buck stops here.” 

Reporter Caleb Soptelean may be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at csoptelean@dailyinterlake.com.