Starfish Project

Starfish's board vice president and eight-year volunteer traced the charity's relocations, blamed parking — not the community — for problems at the Santa Fe/K-7 site, and argued the Aldi building's standalone site, 133 parking spaces, and loading dock solve those issues. He said the unhoused are under 5% of clients and asked the council to approve.

Briarwood resident who argued the operation generates no tax revenue, strains roads, and is incompatible with an R-1 neighborhood entrance.

Researched alternative sites and found only five candidates, all requiring a special use permit; urged approval out of necessity and defended safety.

Described Starfish's culture and explained most clients served in the building are housed; street outreach groups distribute supplies to the unhoused.

Pastor of Trinity Fellowship Church; urged approval on grounds of compassion and community character.

Retired transportation planner and volunteer; argued fears are unfounded and the pantry will be an asset, urging approval.

Briarwood-area resident; argued the 135th and Brome site doesn't match the 119th location and the proposal fails the UDO's compatibility qualifier.

Cited Starfish's eviction from its prior site for loitering and panhandling and questioned whether the brick building is a long-term home.

Briarwood resident directly behind the site; detailed prior-site problems including police calls and lost business at neighboring shops, and asked the council to deny.

Single mother and immigrant from Congo who called Starfish her family and asked the council to keep or relocate it.

Former Briarwood HOA president recounting the 1990s land-use dispute; argued the proposal fails the three special use permit conditions.

Retired business owner and front-desk volunteer who explained visitor counts are overstated and said she never saw loitering or panhandling.

Board member and volunteer who stressed the on-site childcare program's safety record and cited research that service sites don't raise crime.

Young mother whose family turned to Starfish after her husband's layoff; urged the council to support the location near the library.

Urged the council to find a permanent home for Starfish, framing it as essential to the community's basic-needs safety net.

Neutral on the site but used her time to urge the city to do more for the homeless encampment residents — social workers, trash service, sanitation.

Briarwood resident who said not everyone in the neighborhood opposes Starfish and the pros outweigh the cons.