The Gainesville City Commission took a step toward realizing Project Grace’s goal to fight homelessness in a meeting Thursday night.
The Commission unanimously passed a motion during the meeting to rezone property that is planned to become the One Stop Residential Homeless Center and Food Distribution Center for the Needy.
The land, located at 820 NW 53rd Ave., was originally designated as industrial property, but the rezoning initiative has changed it to a planned development district.
The homeless center is a key part of the Gainesville/Alachua County 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness Program, and the center could not be built on industrial property.
Attorney Karl Sanders questioned the commission’s ability to make an unbiased decision before it voted.
Sanders represents Nalbandian Properties LLC, which is located south of the planned development.
“This is not your normal rezoning process,” he said. “It was suggested by the city of Gainesville, and it is being voted on by the city of Gainesville.”
Commissioner Scherwin Henry told Sanders the Commissioners would vote fairly regardless of what was recommended to them by other city groups.
“We can go against the grain if it is unwarranted,” Henry said.
