Saying “fear and perception are not appropriate factors in land-use decisions,” the city hearing examiner approved Wednesday controversial plans for a work-release center in downtown Spokane.

Hearing Examiner Greg Smith said Second Chance, a Seattle-based non-profit organization, can move its state work-release prisoners from West Central’s Cornelius House into the Brownstone Building at the corner of Third and Browne.

Many downtown residents, business owners and school officials spent at least four hours last month during a public hearing trying to convince Smith to deny Second Chance’s permit request.

They said the 84-bed center would pose a threat to the people - especially children - who live, work and go to school nearby.

In his written decision, Smith noted the prisoners were near the end of their sentences and soon would be released.

“This program gives them a chance to be released into the community in a structured, transitional way …” he said.

The neighborhood surrounding the Brownstone Building is zoned for small businesses and allows shelters, Smith said.

“This building could be turned into a mission with no public hearing, and inmates released from prison, who happen to be homeless, could gather at that mission with none of the security, supervision or transitional support offered by this applicant,” Smith said.

Bruce Kuennen, Second Chance director, lauded Smith’s decision.

“We’ll be a good neighbor,” he said. “We’ll try to make the neighborhood safer, rather than less safe.”

Attempts to reach Mike Connelly, the opposition’s attorney, and Patty Marinos, the chief opponent, were unsuccessful.

Second Chance provides beds for inmates who are within three to six months of prison release. While there, they must hold jobs.

Prisoners must be screened before acceptance. They undergo frequent blood and alcohol tests. Anyone who violates terms of release can be sent back to prison immediately.

Right now, 61 state and 15 federal prisoners live at the Cornelius House home.

, DataTimes