Excelsior Springs, Mo.– A zoning request tied to a residential property on Dawn Avenue will be the subject of a public hearing this week in Excelsior Springs. At issue is a proposal to permit up to eight unrelated individuals, who are each in recovery from alcohol or substance use disorders, to live together in a single-family home under the guidelines of Oxford House, Inc.
Oxford House is a national nonprofit network that offers democratically run homes for individuals committed to long-term sobriety. The organization was founded in 1975 and now operates over 3,500 homes across the country. Unlike treatment facilities or halfway houses, Oxford Houses are self-managed by the individuals in recovery. There are no clinical staff members on site, and residents are meant to share financial responsibility and household duties.
The property in question, located at 21 Dawn Avenue, is currently listed as an active Oxford House on the organization’s Missouri directory, with the home nicknamed “Vicinity.” The website states that there are currently two vacancies.
The proposal is being submitted to the City Council as a request for “reasonable accommodation” under the Fair Housing Act. This act prohibits local zoning ordinances from discriminating against individuals with disabilities, which includes those who are recovering from addiction. Federal guidelines from the U.S. Department of Justice indicate that cities must make exceptions to occupancy rules when necessary to provide equal housing opportunities for protected groups.
Zoning Rules in Excelsior Springs
According to the City of Excelsior Springs zoning code, a “family” in single-family residential zones (R-1) is defined as one or more related individuals, or no more than four unrelated individuals, living together in a single family unit.
The Oxford House proposal exceeds current zoning limits and requires formal approval through a public hearing process.
The public hearing will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, at the Excelsior Springs Community Center in Rooms A & B, located at 500 Tiger Drive. Property owners within 200 feet of the site have been notified by mail, but the meeting is open to all. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their input.
For additional information, contact the Excelsior Springs Community Development Department at 816-629-7025 or email mbrown@excelsiorsprings.gov.
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