COEUR d'ALENE - The city of Coeur d'Alene is looking to determine whether a homeless provider on east Sherman Avenue is a public nuisance.

City Attorney Mike Gridley said the city will review police records and calls for service to figure out if too much unwanted activity around Fresh Start deems it a public nuisance, possibly requiring the center to move.

"I read the petition and feel the way you guys did," Gridley told the Coeur d'Alene City Council Tuesday on a petition east Sherman Avenue neighbors turned in to document the problem for public record. "We're looking into it."

The petition had 60 signatures and around 25 pages of testimony from Fresh Start neighbors about problems living near the homeless service center.

Several neighbors spoke to the council Tuesday, saying they want the service center to move out of a residential area and into an industrial one.

"It's becoming scary," said neighbor Barb Whitaker of the reports of public intoxication, littering, swearing, aggressive panhandling, and drug use making the neighborhood dangerous. "This is what we put up with on a daily basis."

Council members said it's a concern that the city is taking seriously, and one it wants to address. The next step is a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 20, at City Hall between neighbors, law enforcement personnel, city officials and Fresh Start representatives.

"My answer tonight is I don't have a great answer," said Mike Kennedy, councilman and chairman of the city's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness committee. "Maybe long-term Fresh Start shouldn't be there ... I would not want this going on in my neighborhood."

The petition cited problems the neighbors have experienced since the service provider moved to 1524 E. Sherman Ave. two years ago.

A city can't require a private operation to move unless it does violate public nuisance ordinances.

Fresh Start provides clothes, food and a place to shower for homeless and near homeless during morning hours. Representatives weren't at the City Council meeting, and couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday evening, but Father Pat Bell, president of the nonprofit's board of directors, said in an article two weeks ago about the reported problems that the provider has been working with neighbors to address their concerns. He said then he hopes the communication remains open as all sides work through the issue.

Neighbors said after the meeting that the city looking into the matter, and scheduling the next meeting, is a positive first step.

"I just want some action," Whitaker said.