Zoning Exception Clears Way for 19-Person Autism Home in Niemenranta

A new residential service unit for people on the autism spectrum will be built in Niemenranta. The two-storey facility at Matilda Niemen kuja 3 is planned to house 19 residents. The project follows the city board's earlier consideration of a 19-person, round-the-clock care home in Niemenranta.

The zoning exception allows several deviations from the plan, covering changes to use, building area, building rights and the location of parking. It lets the project exceed building rights by roughly 24 percent without increasing the building’s height or altering the block’s character. The building will be a single mass in the plot’s northeast corner, leaving the southern part free as a fenced, car-free courtyard. The courtyard will use a transparent metal mesh fence for safety. Parking will be concentrated along the street. Neighbours were consulted and raised no objections. The permit is valid for two years after the decision becomes legally final. Construction can proceed once a building permit is applied for and granted based on the community board’s decision. These details were reported by Tamperelainen.