Cincinnati is once again planning to reduce, limit and even eliminate services for the most vulnerable in our community as a time when people with money are struggling. Those people who called “less fortunate” at religious services are supposedly preventing downtown from developing to its full potential.—-
Serious limitations for social service providers is the most recent attempt to remove the unsightly poor from areas targeted for development for the enjoyment of people with more power, political sway and, quite frankly, money.
What follows is a request form the Woman’s City Club to become informed and speak out against proposed zoning changes. Well, since that whole panhandling license thing was called unconstitutional, it’s probably time to try something even more punitive….
The City of Cincinnati's Planning Commission is in the process of approving 32 revisions to the Zoning Code that will limit the number, type and location of non-profit organizations, faith-based groups and church services throughout every neighborhood in the city of Cincinnati. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend a Special Public Meeting on Feb. 10, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to voice your opinion regarding these changes.
At Tuesday's meeting the Planning Commission will review and listen to public feedback on the 32 proposed revisions to the current Zoning Code. These proposed changes will regulate social services, non-profits, churches and other faith-based group more stringently than any other type business in the City of Cincinnati. If approved, non-profits, churches and other organization will not be able to add new programs, expand or build new structures without a costly and lengthy approval process by the Director of Planning of the City of Cincinnati. This new policy would:
- Severely limit the size and location of non-profit facilities and churches that provide outreach services;
- Reduce the number of programs and services that can be operated at one agency or religious organization; eliminate the use of the term "social service facility;"
- Prohibit and restrict the location non-profit agencies and services to the impoverished within certain neighborhoods.
These amendments and others would make it much harder for social service agencies to help Cincinnati's most vulnerable citizens, namely sick people, poor people, senior citizens and people with disabilities. During tough economic times, let's not hurt those, who need the help the most.
What can be done?
- Plan to arrive at City Hall at 5 p.m., fill out a speaker's card, you will be permitted to speak for 5 minutes.
- Contact Planning Commission and City Council members and voice your concern against the passage of these text amendments.
- Share this information with others