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12. That a document, satisfactory to the City Attorney, be recorded upon sale of this property to Community Living Centers which states all of the conditions of the Use Permit. , Mayor La Berge declared the public hearing open at 8:20 p.m. and asked those who wished to address the Council to come forward and speak at this time. Mayor La Berge asked all speakers to be respectful of others, be concise in their comments, and to not repeat the same comments made by speakers who preceded them. Lucinda Vosburg, 29 Clinton, Redwood City, Director of Hawthorne House and applicant for Community Living Center for a Use Permit to allow a live-in -.- residential treatment program facility provided background of Hawthorne House, 695-5th Avenue, in the unincorporated area of the County for the past fourteen years. Ms. Vosburg described her neighbors as supporting her statements and willing to sign her petition stating that Hawthorne House had been a good neighbor and had not caused any traffic or parking problems. Ms. Vosburg advised that the goal of their program is to teach daily living skills allowing their residents to become fully integrated into the community, and that 75% of past residents have moved on to independent living or assisted living. Ms. Vosburg advised that the program requires all residents be involved in goal-directed activities, employment or volunteer work, and educational, ROP or adult classes. Ms. Vosburg addressed the safety fears and fear of economic loss that confront these kinds of facilities, and advised that evidence shows there is no more violence or criminal activity in the mentally ill population than the general population. Addressing the issue of concern regarding decreased property values, Ms. Vosburg presented an extensive bibliography (Exhibit -. B-1) listing studies on group homes and property values. Ms. Vosburg also presented an article (Exhibit B-2) on criminality and the mentally ill. Ms. Vosburg stated that the mentally ill are no different than we are, we need to take care of those people who need assistance, that they are sick or well to a lesser or greater degree and the typical person who is diagnosed as mentally ill looks as normal as we do. In response to Council questions, Ms. Vosburg stated that the primary diagnostic category of their residents is schizophrenia; they are not a psychiatric hospital and their residents are not experiencing that level of discomfort, and can take care of themselves; and their residents would either be homeless or in institutions if not for Hawthorne House and other licensed care centers. Further, Ms. Vosburg answered that in the 14 years Hawthorne House has been in Redwood City there has never been an incidence of violence towards any neighbor or community member, and that typically if a resident is unsuccessful in their program it is because they are not able to maintain a level of self-care needed to stay in the program. Ms. Vosburg stated that the issue the Espinosa's raise regarding violence has to do with stereotypes, and is similar to the argument and fear that people used to keep black people out of white neighborhoods. This was done out of stereotyping and ignorance, and the mentally ill are no more a threat than anyone in the general population. Responding to a question regarding screening, Ms. Vosburg described the contract with Mental Health Services and the referrals from physicians and psychiatrists, and their own criteria. Regular Meeting Minutes Apri 1 20, 1992 Page 7 MINUTE BOOK NO. 51 Page No. 49 _. ......--.- --.