Hall planners say 'yes' to women's shelter

GAINESVILLE - A Clermont bed and breakfast Inn and a new women's shelter near Gainesville got rezoning approval from the Hall County Planning Commission Monday.

Shannon Imes must also get County Commission approval later this month, but she told planning commissioners of her plans to build an additional shelter, to be called Qamir's Way, to house 12 young homeless women and mothers and help them get jobs.

"I want to have an extension, a second phase so that I can house extra girls so they can do independent living," Imes said.

Imes operates Destiny's Place as founder of Changing Lanes Youth and Community Outreach and told planners she is partnered with several area churches and businesses and is looking for more partnerships.

NEW BED AND BREAKFAST

Terry and Marie Dawson told planners they want to convert their home on Dahlonega Highway in Clermont to a four-guest suite bed and breakfast where they would continue to live.

"The house is approximately four years old but it's built off a replica of a house that was built back in 1890, originally my wife's grandparents' home place," Dawson said.

Planning staff recommended approval, saying the bed and breakfast conformed to the comprehensive plan with a minimal increase in traffic.