{"id":235404,"date":"2026-07-04T12:06:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T12:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/235404\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T12:06:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T12:06:21","slug":"millcreek-zoning-officials-approve-erie-city-mission-shelter-project-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/235404\/","title":{"rendered":"Millcreek zoning officials approve Erie City Mission shelter project"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Erie City Mission<\/a>‘s\u00a0plan to convert a shuttered Millcreek Township elementary school into a housing facility for women and children in need<\/a> has received the crucial zoning approval it needed to move forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Millcreek’s Zoning Hearing Board on June 24 unanimously signed off on the City Mission’s request for what’s known as a special exception for the adapted reuse of a nonresidential structure regarding the proposed new shelter, planned for the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School, 1553 East Grandview Blvd.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The former Mount Carmel Elementary School at 1553 East Grandview Blvd. in Millcreek Township.<\/p>\n

The area is zoned for residential use, and the type of housing-based facility that the City Mission wants to create is not a specific use permitted in that area under township zoning rules.<\/p>\n

However, the Zoning Hearing Board agreed that the City Mission project qualifies as an acceptable use under the township’s zoning laws.<\/p>\n

Brian Johansson,\u00a0the City Mission’s CEO, said after the zoning board’s decision that “this will start the process of permitting, and construction to develop a welcoming and nurturing environment for up to 70 women and children” at the proposed shelter, which could be open within 18 to 24 months.<\/p>\n

“We are very excited,” Johansson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

No public appeal opposing the project’s zoning request<\/a>\u00a0was filed by the May 18 deadline for doing so.<\/p>\n

Community need<\/p>\n

The City Mission, a faith-based nonprofit that helps those affected by homelessness, poverty and addiction, has offered to purchase the school building and related acreage from Mount Carmel’s parish for $1.8 million, Johansson said. The City Mission has also raised several million dollars privately for the project.<\/p>\n

The Mount Carmel site has been closed since the 2016-17 school year. The property purchase, Johansson has said, was contingent upon zoning approval from Millcreek officials.<\/p>\n

Johansson told the Zoning Hearing Board that the shelter fits with the City Mission’s long-range strategic plan.<\/p>\n

He also said the City Mission is exploring potential collaborations with local nonprofits\/agencies that serve the homeless and women\/children as part of the shelter plan. Those potential partners include\u00a0the Mercy Center for Women;<\/a>SafeNet;<\/a>\u00a0Erie’s\u00a0Women’s Care Center;<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Erie DAWN<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Brian<\/p>\n

Brian Johansson, chief executive office of the Erie City Mission.<\/p>\n

Further, Johansson said the City Mission recently hosted a public meeting, attended by roughly 85 people, that included residents living near the Mount Carmel property to explain the project to them.<\/p>\n

“There was a really wonderful response from them,” Johansson said. “I really was encouraged by that.”<\/p>\n

He told the board the City Mission is pursuing the project because there is a substantial need for additional housing in the Erie region for women and children facing homelessness or other hardships.<\/p>\n

He said women and their children “can be in crisis for many reasons: domestic violence, economic issues, addiction, trafficking,” Johansson said. “There are limited beds in Erie County.”<\/p>\n

Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at@ETNflowers<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie City Mission gets Millcreek’s OK for new shelter<\/a><\/p>\n