City, Mary Hall Freedom House At Odds Over Zoning

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Sandy Springs and Mary Hall Freedom House are engaging in a war of words over where the nonprofit's operations within a residential community follow the city's zoning code.

The city is challenging a press release issued this week by Mary Hall Freedom House announcing a visit scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3 by U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young to its space in nearly three dozen condos at Reserve of Dunwoody on Roberts Drive.

Mary Hall Freedom House helps women and children facing homelessness by giving them the tools to embark on a path towards independence. The group says it has been accused of "having incorrect zoning licenses, paperwork and other permits in an attempt to shut down the facility."

The organization, which notes it faces 34 new citations that are pending in Municipal Court, said business leaders and operators of similar housing facilities came together to audit its operations and address issues raised by the city. That committee, made up of Young and other Sandy Springs citizens and area stakeholders, found "nothing out of order," Mary Hall Freedom House said.

"The mayor has been invited to visit the housing and make his own judgment, but will not; nor will the city meet with the facility to work through the issues," it added.

If the city is successful in its challenge of its operations, Mary Hall Freedom House states more than 100 women and children "will likely be homeless again."

"The women are primarily female veterans and women escaping battered relationships," it adds.

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In response to the group's statements, Sandy Springs states Mary Hall Freedom House did not do its due diligence before it bought 33 condos at the residential community to use for its operations. It also accused the group of not researching to see if that location's zoning code would work for what it had planned.

"If they had done the homework, they would have discovered the units purchased are not located in an area zoned for drug rehabilitation or commercial operations," the city notes.

More than 100 families are living in 33 one- and two-bedroom units at the complex. Mary Hall Freedom House has registered with the state Department of Community Services, which sanctions halfway houses for probation and paroled convicted felons. Sandy Springs adds the nonprofit is also licensed as a residential drug rehab facility by the Georgia Department of Community Health.

Neither of these uses are authorized under the city's zoning ordinance and according to its business license application, Freedom Village LLC — which operates Mary Hall — has annual revenues of more than $5 million, "which is further indication to the city that these commercial activities are occurring in a residential setting."

Sandy Springs said its staff members have on several occasions met with the organization's leadership to discuss these issues.

"Mayor [Rusty] Paul has expressed willingness to meet with MHFH after the legal issues are resolved," the city added. On advice of counsel, it would be inappropriate to meet prior to the legal matter running its due course. The city’s zoning ordinance and policies are in full compliance with Federal Fair Housing and Americans with Disabilities Laws. All the city is asking is that the organization operate lawfully."

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