Some Shively residents voice concerns over sober living facility in their neighborhood

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Upset neighbors flocked to a community meeting Wednesday in Shively, voicing their disapproval of a sober living facility in their neighborhood.

Shively Mayor Maria Johnson was quick to join the criticism, much of it about the lack of around-the-clock security that has neighbors on edge.

"You know what wherever you go and whatever happens you need to follow the rules of the city and do things properly,” said Johnson.

That's kind of the problem for David Mattingly, the owner of a spacious two-story home on Garey Lane.

When he opened the sober living facility late last fall, Mattingly said zoning in Shively was vague and didn’t really address the type of operation he had. But neighbors claim he flew under the radar on purpose.

“But as far as sneaking it in there, I'm going through the process now," Mattingly told the crowd on Wednesday.

Kenneth Dykes lives just down the street from the facility, and said he's concerned with the safety of the place and the people coming and going.

“Well, when they first came in we noticed a lot of activity. A lot of men going in and out," Dykes said before the meeting.

But during the meeting, his temper reached a boil point.

"You need to leave ... we are not going to allow you to stay there," he said.

Dykes' anger comes, in part, from not knowing who is coming and going from the house.

“We did have a one sex offender," Mattingly said, bringing an eruption of displeasure from the crowd at Wednesday's meeting.

Mattingly said the person was moved to another facility as soon as his offender status was discovered.

According to a zoning application, the building will house a maximum of 23 people. Staff are on-site 16 hours a day, leaving the residents on their own overnight.

“There is a place for a thing like (this), not in a neighborhood with kids. And, you know, you have elderly people in the neighborhood living by themselves," said Dykes.

No one at the meeting disputed the merits of a sober living house, just not on Garey lane. Now, they are hoping the city takes action.