Tensions boiled over Wednesday night as more than 40 residents packed into the Alliance Planning Commission meeting to oppose ICAN Housing’s proposed nine-unit development behind Westwood Avenue homes, near Butler Rodman Park.
The conditional use request would allow multi-family dwellings designed to house individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or those experiencing homelessness. The project is being developed by ICAN Housing, a Canton-based nonprofit.
Opposition dominated the hour-long public speaks portion, with residents from Westwood Street, Marwood Circle, Northwood, and Crestwood Street voicing concerns over safety, property values and environmental impacts.
“We already deal with break-ins, car thefts, trespassing and noise complaints,” said resident Jamie Wolf, who spoke first during the hearing. “Now you want to bring in more people struggling with homelessness and addiction. What about the safety of our children?”
Wolf also cited a higher ratio of police reports in nearby neighborhoods and warned that increased density could harm property values while driving up taxes. “If crime rises, if our taxes go up, if our property values drop, who will be held accountable?” she asked.
Others echoed those concerns. Emily Coe, a mother of young children, said the project’s proximity to a park worried her. “We moved here in 2022 for a safe, close-knit community. This is not what we expected,” she said.
Several residents highlighted environmental concerns, including the destruction of wetlands and wildlife habitats. “The woods are a natural barrier,” said Kyle St. John, who helped draft Wolf’s testimony. “Tearing them down puts us all at risk.”
Longtime resident Jody Kennesaker said the plan undermines decades of work to improve the neighborhood. “We’ve fought to make this area better, and this proposal feels like a step backward,” she told commissioners.
After nearly an hour of residents voicing concerns, ICAN Housing Executive Director Julie Sparks shocked the room when she stepped to the podium and said: “I’m not building this thing in your fing backyard,” to which the crowd applauded.
When asked by the planning commission if she wanted to pull the item from the agenda, she said only if I can finish talk. She stepped back up to podium and continued to ramble and was asked by the commission to conclude her statements and either pull it from the agenda or leave it all. She decided to leave it on because she said she wasn’t done speaking.
Moments later, the exchange escalated, and Sparks was escorted out of the meeting.
Neighbors say they moved to the area for peace and quiet but fear the project could put their families at risk.
The Planning Commission did not take immediate action, instead opting to deliberate further and request additional information from ICAN Housing.
