Lamb Center Gets Another Chance in Court

UPDATE: Do you want the Lamb Center to stay at Fairfax Circle? .

The Virginia Supreme Court will decide whether  breaks city rules in providing showers, preparing food and washing laundry for the homeless in Fairfax City.

The private nonprofit earlier this month after a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge ruled that the Lamb Center's services overreach its use permit. 

"Certainly we are pleased that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case and will prepare for a positive outcome for The Lamb Center," said Frank McLeskey, chairman of the center's board of directors.

Though neither party has received a set date for the hearing, city attorney Brian Lubkeman expects the process to begin within the first months of 2012.

Last year, the center serviced over 100 homeless every day, providing them tens of thousands of meals, showers and laundry loads. Staff and volunteers, however, struggle to meet the growing needs of the poor and homeless in Fairfax.

"We are working very hard to find a new location for the center in the near future that will meet expanding needs to help the poor and homeless in central Fairfax," said McLeskey. "In that regard, we are also currently in positive and continuing discussions with both Fairfax City and County officials concerning relocation."

It's a search that's gone on for much of the last decade. In 2006, the center and the city looked at moving the Lamb Center to an office building in Merrifield. The plan fell through thanks to NIMBY push-back and an elusive county special use permit.

Click these links to read more about the Lamb Center.