The Southside Center for Violence Prevention (SCVP) Inc. is seeking to operate a domestic violence shelter at 1412 Longwood Ave. in Farmville.

SCVP operates Madeline’s House, a domestic violence safe house, and the Piedmont Crisis Center, a sexual assault crisis center.

Madeline’s House needs a conditional use permit from Farmville Town Council to operate the shelter. The permit request is contingent on a rezoning amendment to change the property from R-1 Residential to B-3 Business and a zoning amendment adding domestic violence shelters to permitted uses.

In October, the Farmville Planning Commission recommended approval of the permit to town council, on the condition the shelter install a “highly sophisticated alarm system and lighting,” nine bedrooms to house up to 25 people, off-street parking, a 6-foot white vinyl fence, staffing 24/7 and only allow shelter for females, including mothers and their children.

The planning commission needs to hold a public hearing on the permit before council considers the permit request, according to Town Manager Gerald Spates, who said SCVP would present information pertaining to its operations and the permit during its Nov. 9 council meeting.

During their Wednesday work session, council members questioned state regulations pertaining to the facility, including safety and location.

“This is going to have to go back to (the commission),” because of the public hearing, said Spates, who later noted the council would also hold a separate hearing before final action on the permit request.

Spates said some of the conditions “were kind of vague.”

According to the permit application, the building formerly housed Calvary Church on a .631-acre lot. Glenn O. Fowlkes, executive director of SCVP, is the applicant, while Edward Helton is the property owner, according to the permit request.

“It’s a lot of unanswered questions,” Ward D Councilman Donald Hunter said.

Spates said the permit’s conditions needed to be enforceable and reasonable.

“We need to refine them,” Mayor David Whitus said of the conditions recommended by the commission.

At-Large Councilman Tom Pairet said his concerns are about safety for adjacent property owners, the community and occupants of the proposed shelter.

“This is obviously not going to be hid,” Pairet said of the location compared to one in Blackstone.

“I think you also need to find out what other safe houses do for protection of their clients,” Ward B Councilman Sally Thompson said, who questioned the extent of training of those working at the shelter.

According to its website, Madeline’s House can provide shelter for up to 12 people.