The Troy Board of Adjustment suggested that a “congregate residential care facility” on Brundidge Street close its doors while awaiting an approval for a variance by the board.

The board members were surprised to learn during their deliberation that the facility was already operating before the variance was requested.

Susan Standberry of Serenity Place brought the request forward to the board Thursday, seeking “special exception, parking variance and variances from the development regulations” to allow the operation of the facility.

“It’s sort of filling the gap for people who may not be able to get into other assisted living facilities and might otherwise be homeless,” Standberry said. “We have a similar facility in Brundidge.”

The facility currently houses six people, which Standberry said is the maximum for the three-room home. The residents are fully ambulatory and must be able to control their own medications, Standberry said, although the staff may check occasionally to make sure the residents are taking their medications.

The staff would also cook meals for the residents and provide transportation.

Board members expressed concerns about whether the facility would need to be federally or state regulated, which Standberry said did not apply because of the limited number of residents and because the services do not include helping the residents with medication.

There were also questions raised about whether the home would need to upgrade its kitchen and sprinklers to meet fire safety regulations.

“I’m not at a point where I would feel comfortable voting in favor of your request, but we could table it,” said board member Jack Norton.

Board member Perry Green moved to table the request for 90 days while Standberry gets the required information in order to present to the board and told Standberry she should put a hold on operating the facility until the request moves forward.

Standberry said the facility had been operating for approximately one month prior to the board meeting.

“I was not aware of needing these variances when we opened,” Standberry said.

The board approved for Flo’s owner Ziad Rollins to place a mobile food unit on an empty parcel between 311 and 313 South Three Notch Street for 12 months beginning May 1.

Green said one concern of the board is that the lot is in the historic district. Green made the motion to approve the request, adding the 12-month expiration of the motion so that the board can review whether the business is working in the area.