CLAREMONT — The city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a variance necessary for a substance misuse recovery home to operate at 15 Skinner St.
The board unanimously approved the variance for Shawn Cannizzaro and Melissa O’Brien earlier this month after receiving comments from real estate agents and appraisers that the facility would not devalue surrounding properties. Property value impact is one of the five criteria the board must consider for a variance application.
According to the meeting minutes, City Planner deForest Bearse said the city received several opinions on value, one of which was from a licensed Realtor. Bearse said a recovery home was shown to increase value by 3%. An appraiser told the board sober housing has no impact on resale value of homes.
Cannizzaro and O’Brien applied for the variance to operate the home for up to 11 women in various stages of recovery. A single-family residence can have up to five unrelated people, but more than that requires a variance under city ordinances.
Cannizzaro said his recovery model requires a group home setting, which greatly improves chances for long-term success. Residents must have full-time jobs.
“The community is how we thrive,” Cannizzaro said in December. “Roommates are important and isolation is dangerous. We can’t let them isolate. A roommate can be the thing that prevents reuse through support.”
In discussing the variance, board member David Putnam noted that Cannizzaro’s Hope 2 Freedom Recovery Home on Factory Street, with eight men in four apartments, is well-maintained and has improved the look of the street.
“Knowing that as history, I believe he would take care of the building on Skinner Street,” Putnam said.
Residents have stated their opposition to the application at two previous ZBA meetings and again at the last meeting. They were worried about traffic, safety and property values. Most said they harbored no ill feelings toward the residents and wished them well in their recovery but did not want them on their street.
“I wish you the best,” said Yolanda Roberts, of 19 Skinner St. “I hope you are not my neighbors.”
When it considered the five criteria that are assessed for a variance, the board agreed approving it would not be “contrary to public interest” nor would it put people in danger.
“We cannot see evidence that this type of facility has negative impacts on neighbors,” the board said in its criteria review. “We cannot say that property values in Claremont will not increase by this type of property.”
The building has eight bedrooms and 2,346 square feet of living space. It previously had a variance approved for an assisted-living facility, but that expired. Cannizzaro previously said he would have the property owner move ahead with renovations should a variance be approved.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.
