Sober living facility receives green light from Lorain Zoning, Planning Commission

LORAIN — A sober living house on West Fifth Street can continue to operate, after receiving approval from Lorain's zoning and planning commissions. Murray's Home, 1311 W. Fifth St., will be able to continue serving up to six men at a time in the four-bedroom home. The city's Zoning Board of Appeals approved a variance and its Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the facility Wednesday morning. Murray's Home founder Tyler Srokowski had applied for a conditional use permit, as required under the current zoning code, after a resident brought his home to the city's attention. Srokowski's facility has been in operation since 2019 and is named after his friend who overdosed. "I've got friends dying left and right and I'm hoping to be able to provide them a safe place, structured environment to abstain from drugs and alcohol and give them a chance at living a productive and meaningful life," he said. Srokowski's permit has been on hold since the commission's November meeting. The sticking point was whether the facility is within 1,200 feet of a public park, as it sits behind Victory Park at West Erie Avenue and West Fifth Street. Assistant Law Director Don Zaleski said Victory Park was deeded to the city as a park, he said, but is not considered an active park so the intent of the ordinance is not applicable. Victory Park, next to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 20, houses the city's World War II monument but does not have any playground equipment or programming. It was transferred to the Lorain Port Authority in 2018. Mayor Jack Bradley spoke in Srokowski's support. Murray's Home has been in operation for about two years, but he's never heard of any significant problems — or even realized the facility existed, he said. Quoting data given during Tuesday's Community Protection Team meeting, Bradley said there's been more than 100,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. this year, and last year Lorain County saw about 350 fatal overdoses. He encouraged Srokowski's efforts to save lives by offering support to recovering addicts. He was joined by Dina Ferrer, who argued Victory Park isn't a park, it's a memorial. "I don't know why that is not permissible to have sober people, people who are not using drugs or alcohol, living across from a stone monument," she said. The Zoning Board ultimately approved Srokowski's variance, allowing it to operate within 1,200 feet of Victory Park; and the Planning Commission issued a conditional use permit. Srokowski thanked his supporters, including his family and elected officials. "Murray's Home looks forward to continue providing services for those afflicted by drug or alcohol addition," he said. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.