City to hold public hearing Monday on controversial group home

The Cairo City Council will conduct a public hearing next week on a conditional use permit for a group home proposed to be located in an exclusive northwest Cairo neighborhood.
The council denied the request for a conditional use permit sought by Regional Properties, Inc., and Sunrise Community of Georgia, Inc., at 35 14th Avenue N.W. on Aug. 27, 2012.
Last month, the council decided to hold another public hearing and reconsider the previous action.
The city has been sued in federal district court by Regional Properties, Inc., and Sunrise Community of Georgia, Inc. According to city officials, the city has been attempting to settle the suit.
The action taken last month is said to be part of that attempt to settle the matter.
Regional Properties purchased the former residence of Dr. and Mrs. S.L. Hancock in March 2012 with plans of making the former home a group home for four adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Sunrise Community of Georgia, Inc., operates over 200 group homes including homes in Rome and Thomasville.
The former Hancock residence is located in a neighborhood zoned R1AA, the most restrictive zone in the city. Group homes are not allowed as a conditional use in an R1AA zone, but are allowed in R2, R3, C1 and C2 zones within the city.
Regional Properties, Inc., filed suit on Sept. 26, 2012.
The plaintiffs are seeking relief under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Declaratory Judgment Act.
The public hearing is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23.