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Farm for autistic adults gets zoning approval

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer 5:35 PM Sunday, June 14, 2009

HAMILTON — A sprawling farm with gardens, horseback riding and an activity center will mark a unique home for adults with autism envisioned in Madison Twp.

Butler County Commissioners recently approved a zoning change that will pave the way for the Safe Haven Farm. It will house up to 24 adults in 6 new houses being built on at 60-acre farm on No Mans Road.

The zoning change was needed because the land is currently zoned agricultural. Despite earlier objection from neighbors who feared it would harm the area’s rustic charm and strain services in the area, no one opposed to the project spoke at the Thursday, June 11, commission meeting.

To assuage neighbors’ concerns, planners say most of the land will be either a farm or woodland, with tree buffers shielding the view of houses from other properties.

And when it’s done, it will provide peace of mind for the consortium of local parents of autistic adults who are planning the project, according to Dennis Rogers, one of those parents.

“As our kids age out of school we find a real lack of services for adults with autism,” said Rogers, whose daughter is autistic. “They end up being isolated in their houses watching videos all day long and the quality of life isn’t what it should be.”

Residents at Safe Haven Farms will be able to garden, ride horses, hike through trails and someday maybe swim in an indoor pool. There will be roughly one staff member to help care for every two residents.

Rent will cost the same as current housing for disabled adults with Medicaid waivers, Rogers said. But first they need to raise the money to build it. Now that they’re over the zoning hurdle, they hope to have the money together to break ground in the fall.

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Good luck on your venture! It is most worthwhile abut I am sure you recognize the many challenges that lie ahead. As the Director of Eden Autism Services Florida I wanted to share our current project with you. We are well underway in the construction of our "Garden at Eden" located on the grounds of our six person home in Collier County Florida. The garden will be comprised of both organic fruits and vegetables.We are expecting our trees and first crops to be in the ground in 4 weeks.

Armando Galella
9:25 AM, 8/13/2009

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Mandy's Special Farm is a home for women with autism in a farm setting. We went through similar frustrations with zoning and concerned neighbors. Luckily we surpassed the challenges and are able to focus on our mission. I'm very happy to hear about Safe Haven Farms; more places that focus on autism are desperately needed. I wish you the best of luck with the next steps.

Heidi Rishel Brakey
Executive Director
www.mandysfarm.org

Heidi Rishel Brakey
4:14 PM, 7/6/2009

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For more information on Safe Haven Farms, go to our web site: www.safehavenfarms.org

Denny Rogers
8:38 AM, 6/17/2009

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This is such a needed service. How do I help for the fund raising? How do I get my son on a waiting list?
Carol

Carol Fuller
9:49 PM, 6/15/2009

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i know some of the families involved in making this farm possible. i actually work for one of them. this will be a wonderful place for all of the people who get to live there. i wish there were more people in this world to help provide more wonderful places like this will be for the developementally handicap!

sullivan
12:47 PM, 6/15/2009

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