CLEMSON — Whereas one group’s attempt to purchase the former Clemson Child Development Center property for counseling, outreach and support services proved unsuccessful, another group hopes to acquire the McGee Street site in order to open a homeless shelter.

But, first, they must gain approval in changing a portion of the language contained in a 2007 ordinance dealing with special exceptions for group homes.

Planning Director Sharon Richardson said the proposed text amendment would allow the Board of Zoning Appeals to reduce building setbacks for existing structures at no less than the depth of the required bufferyard between adjacent areas. The board would also be allowed to require additional bufferyard materials in the reduced setback area while maintaining the 40-foot setback requirement for any new construction and or additions.

“The use of one existing building (on the CCDC site) is the main sticking point here,” Richardson said. “Right now, it must meet existing standards.”

Originally, E. Igwe sought to purchase the former CCDC property in order to open House of Hope Upstate. In 2007, City Council unanimously approved second and final reading of a proposed text amendment allowing group homes as special exceptions in RM-1 and RM-2, two-household residential districts. The McGee Street site that housed CCDC for 38 years (before the center relocated to the Calhoun Bridge Center, formerly known as the Morrison Annex in 2007) is located within an RM-2 two-household residential district.

But the ordinance included a 40-foot setback requirement for buildings, contributing to House of Hope’s decision to eventually withdraw plans to locate at the site.

The latest group in question, assisted by a church group, is seeking to open a shelter at the site to serve as a respite for individuals seeking to get back on their feet. But Richardson added that any change not only would affect the former CCDC site, but other similarly zoned properties in the city.

In addition, the planning director said building code requirements must also be met — even if the request is ultimately approved by the city.

A public hearing, at which Richardson updated City Council on the issue, took place Monday night. The next step involves council approving two readings of the text amendment, the first scheduled for Oct. 20, before the change becomes official. Should that occur, any further public hearings would go before the Board of Zoning Appeals on a case-by-case basis.