Residents of Living with Pride (LWP), the embattled sober living space in the North Center neighborhood, will have to wait another month to find out whether their home is secure—a hearing before the city’s zoning board of appeals has again been pushed back.
At the request of 47th Ward Alderman Gene Schulter, who was out of the country and unable to attend the hearing, it was rescheduled for Friday, Sept. 18.
Living with Pride, a living space tailored specifically to the needs of LGBT people in recovery from addiction, has faced controversy since it opened its doors in March. Following complaints from neighbors, city zoning commissioner Patricia Scudiero found LWP to be incorrectly zoned. While house administrators argue that it is a “community group home” (allowed under current zoning), Scudiero found it to be a “transitional” residence—and in need of re-zoning. If the appeal of this decision fails, it is unlikely that LWP would be able to successfully apply to re-zone, given its contentious relationship with its neighbors and with Schulter.
More information on the house can be found at www.livingwithpride.org.