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HomeMy WebLinkAboutI - 02 Racker Center CorrespondenceOFFICIAL NOTICE 11/7/2023 Bruce Weber Town of Cortlandville Raymond G. Thorpe Municipal Building 3577 Terrace Road Cortland, NY 13045 Re: Establishing a new community residential home 3266 Walden Oaks Blvd Dear Zoning Officer Weber, Pursuant to Section 41.34 of the New York State Mental Hygiene Law, this letter shall serve as a formal notification of the intent of Racker, formally known as Franziska Racker Centers, to establish a community residential home to be located at 3266 Walden Oaks Blvd Cortland, NY 13045. This home will be a supervised Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) for six (6) adults with developmental disabilities. Racker is a voluntary not-for-profit organization that operated under the licensure of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). We provide residential, respite, community habilitation, self-direction, and family support services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Cortland, Tompkins, Tioga and surrounding counties. A site assessment of the 3266 Walden Oaks Blvd property has been conducted to determine its suitability to meet the needs of the individuals and the Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) requirements. It has been found that this property will meet the needs for home construction to meet the needs of the six identified individuals. The home is being established as a single family residence for six (6) individuals who are currently supported in other Racker homes and need a single story home that can better support their needs as they age. Enclosed, please find a printout of the recent Social Services directory listing residential and institutional facilitation in Cortland, NY. Cristine Donovan, Executive Director Jeffrey S. Lewis, M.D., D.M.D., Medical Director Tompkins County Sites ❑Administrative Bldg., Clinic, Early Childhood, Residential and Community Services 3226 Wilkins Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 Tel: 607.272.5891 Fax: 607.272.0188 ❑Audiology Clinic 619 W. State St. Ste. C Ithaca, NY 14850 Tel: 607.882.9047 Fax: 607.882.9048 ❑Counseling Programs at TST BOCES Smith School 555 Warren Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 Tel: 607.257.2353 Fax: 607.257.2510 Cortland County Sites ❑Early Childhood, Residential and Community Services 882 NYS Rt. 13 Cortland, NY 13045 Tel: 607.753.9375 Fax: 607.758.9287 ❑Counseling Programs at OCM BOCES 1710 NYS Route 13 Cortland, NY 13045 Tel: 607.758.5100 Fax: 607.758.5146 Tioga County Sites ❑Early Childhood, Residential and Community Services 1277 Taylor Rd. Owego, NY 13827 Tel: 607.687.8929 Fax: 607.687.8153 2 Racker has developed several high quality residences and we look forward to working closely with you on this project. Racker values our reputation as good neighbors within the Cortland community and we are looking forward to providing a home and living environment in the Walden Oaks Neighborhood. Under the statute the municipality can respond in one of three ways: 1. Support the site recommended by the sponsoring agency (Racker ). 2. Suggest one or more alternate suitable sites within the jurisdiction, which could accommodate such a home. 3. Object to the establishment of a facility of the kind described by the sponsoring agency (Racker ), because it would result in such a concentration of community residential facilities for the developmentally disabled in the municipality or in the area in proximity to the site selected or of a combination of such facilities licensed by other agencies of state government, that the nature and character of the areas within the municipality would be substantially altered. If the municipality (Town of Cortlandville ) does not respond within forty (40) days, the sponsoring agency (Racker) may establish a community residence at the site recommended in this notice. I will be happy to meet with you and the members of the Planning Board at your earliest convenience if there is any additional information that you require. The statute 41.34 requires a decision from you within forty (40) days of receipt of this letter, and I will comply with your requests in a timely manner. Please contact me at (607) 272-5891 x 209 or via -email at katieb@racker.org. Thank you for your attention and cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Katie Boardman Director of I/DD Services Enclosures cc: Anna Kelles, New York State Assembly Member Lea Webb, New State Senator Vanessa Smith, Deputy Director, Regional Field Office , District 2 Vincent Schmidt, Director, Regional Field Office District 2 Paula Millard DDPS 4, Regional Field Office, District 2 Sharon MacDougall, Community Services Director, Cortland County Racker is a non-profit organization providing strength-based support for individuals with disabilities and their families in Tompkins, Cortland and Tioga counties. Guided by the vision of a world where all people know they belong, Racker offers programs and services to more than 3,500 people, helping them to build lasting connections and lead fulfilling lives. Racker – Who Are We? Racker meets the needs of our community with a wide continuum of services. We operate 26 residential homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our programs reach into our community through volunteering, goal directed activities and self-advocacy. Racker provides opportunity and the choice for everyone to write their own narrative each day. Our organization creates belonging while providing young people the tools they need to succeed. Racker’s Early Childhood Program embraces children of all abilities in the classroom, clinical therapies, childcare and early intervention. Our agency is proud of our partnerships with local schools and BOCES where our story of belonging continues. Racker provides social work and an environment of safety and belonging for young people in need of more support. We partner with local community groups and businesses to support our programs and build an inclusive environment. Racker utilizes the academic resources of our local colleges and universities for board work, fundraisers and inclusive activities. Our staff includes social workers, nurses, direct support professionals, clinicians, teachers, and community support professionals. We employ over 800 caring and dedicated individuals who represent the best of our community. Their work demands compassion, attention to detail and an understanding of each person receiving services. They are the bedrock of our mission of belonging. Racker is proud of the quality of services and programs that we deliver to the community. Throughout our long history, we have helped and supported tens of thousands of people and their families. And our work continues every hour, of every day, as we strive to create a world where all people know they belong. What are Developmental Disabilities? Developmental disabilities are special conditions that may occur anytime from before a baby’s birth, up until the age of 22. A developmental disability may take different forms. They are different from “developmental delays,” that show up as a lag in one or more areas of growth or skill. A developmental disability may cause a child to develop more slowly all along, or to have physical difficulties and limitations, or have trouble learning and growing like other children in general. Developmental disabilities include: intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and neurological impairment. Why Was This House Chosen? What attracted us to 3266 Walden Oaks Blvd. is probably the same as what attracts anyone. The residents would enjoy a nice, quiet, safe neighborhood with community resources nearby. This property meets our needs for a buildable lot with municipal service so that we can build an accessible home where residents can age in place and receive the support they need. The house will have a spacious interior, be easy to negotiate, and will be accessible for the needs of the residents. It is also conveniently located for the residents’ commute and visits with their families. Who is Going to Live in This Home? Every year many families approach us seeking services for their loved one. This year we have worked with six families to develop a home for their family members, all of whom are aging and have higher medical needs. For these individuals our goal is to provide a quality of life by supporting their needs, dreams, and ambitions, helping them flourish as they transition out of their current home and live with more independent supports. Living in neighborhoods currently, these individuals are well suited to continue living within a community. Will the Individuals Be Supervised? Ten full time Direct Support Professionals will provide supports and services, including supervision, on an individual basis according to their needs. The home will be staffed 24/7 whenever anyone is home. During waking hours, two staff will be present. On the overnight, two staff will be present. On-site supervisory and clinical staff are also assigned, including weekly nursing oversight. Our extensive training program is designed to promote services of the highest quality. Each team member is screened, and background checks conducted. All team members receive comprehensive training in the area of developmental disabilities as well as initial and ongoing training specific to those being served. Competency demonstration is required to become certified. A new employee receives over 200 hours of initial training. What Kind of Neighbors Will You Be? Our desire is to have each individual truly feel a part of their community. One way to achieve this goal is to be a responsible neighbor. We take pride in being good neighbors, as we are for all of our homes throughout multiple counties. We have established friendly and supportive relationships with our neighbors and local communities. The Racker team recognizes the critical importance of maintaining the home and yard. We make exceptional efforts to ensure they are well kept. We also want to be considered just another neighbor. There will not be any signs on the property nor on our vehicles. Our goal is to simply blend in. How will Parking Be Handled? We recognize that parking of vehicles is of concern to neighbors. Like most families, we plan to have a minivan and a car for this home. As families grow and teenagers begin to drive, having a few vehicles is the norm these days. The garage and driveway accommodate our needs. Again, we try to blend in as we are sensitive to appearances, and as such will utilize the garage as much as possible and park neatly in the driveway. Will Allowing this Home Change the Zoning of the Property? Yes. The current zoning is for a Day Care. We are requesting a conversion to a residential (single) home to fit with the rest of the homes within Walden Oaks. With that change, the house at 3266 Walden Oaks Blvd will be considered a single-family home. The planned group home fits within the Walden Oaks HOA and is to be treated as a family home according to New York State law. How Can I Receive More Information? For more information, please do not hesitate to call Katie Boardman of the sponsoring agency, Racker, 3226 Wilkins Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 at (607) 272 – 5891. She is more than happy to answer your questions. 44 H o l l a n d A v e n u e Al b a n y , N Y 1 2 2 2 9 - 0 0 0 1 050 _5_11_23 (866) 946-9733 | NY Relay System 711 www.opwdd.ny.gov NYS Site Selection A guide to the process for establishing community residences for people with developmental disabilities Community-based housing, or group homes, offer different levels of support to people with developmental disabilities based upon each person’s specific needs. The site selection process for group homes is governed by Section 41.34 of the New York Mental Hygiene Law. Service provider agencies must follow the site selection process as outlined in law to establish a group home. New York’s Site Selection Law The Notification Process – The sponsoring agency must inform the chief executive officer of a municipality that it proposes to establish a group home at a specific address. The municipality has 40 days to make a decision. Public hearings may be held, but they are not mandatory. The municipality will waive its right to object to the site if it fails to respond to the sponsoring agency’s 40-day notice letter by the deadline. There are three options the municipality can choose: (1) approve the site, (2) suggest alternatives, or (3) object to the site on the grounds that the neighborhood is already saturated with sites. 1. Approve site – The municipality can approve the site selected by the sponsoring agency. 2. Suggest Alternatives: • Alternatives Accepted – The sponsoring agency approves the alternative site suggested by the municipality. • Alternative Rejected – If the municipality proposes an alternative site the sponsoring agency finds unacceptable, the municipality then has 15 additional days to propose other alternatives. 3. Object Because Saturated – It is up to the municipality to prove that a community residence should not be built because there is already such a concentration of sites that a new one would substantially alter the character and nature of the community. Resolving Disputes Disputes can occur only if: (1) the municipality objects to the site because it is already saturated, or (2) the sponsoring agency objects to the alternative site proposed. Commissioner’s Hearing – The first step in resolving disputes is a hearing before the commissioner. At the hearing the commissioner must determine if there is a need for the proposed residence. If the commissioner determines that the character of the neighborhood would be substantially altered, he, or she must sustain the objection. Determination is made within 30 days. Judicial Review – The commissioner’s action may be reviewed through an Article 78 proceeding, according to the New York Civil Procedure Law and Rules. A sponsoring agency is not able to set up a group home unless every necessary step is followed. If a community’s objection is upheld by a commissioner’s ruling or through judicial review, the site may be rejected. Important Terms An individualized residential alternative, or group home, is a residence of 14 or fewer beds either operated or licensed by the Office For People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). There are two types: supervised and supportive residences. A Supervised residence provides around-the clock staff, while a Supportive residence allows more independent living under periodic supervision. All supervised residences from one to 14 beds and supportive residences with four to 14 beds must go through the site selection process. A Sponsoring Agency is the person, service provider agency, or governmental unit that plans to establish a community residence. A Municipality is either: • A village; • A town (which is affected only if the proposed community residence is to be located outside any village within the town); • A city (except New York City); or • A community board district in the City of New York Once a provider has successfully completed the site selection process for a home, it must be considered a Family Unit according to appropriate local laws and ordinances.