GREENFIELD — The Zoning Board of Appeals is reviewing an appeal to Clinical & Support Options’ building permit to create a temporary homeless shelter on Arch Street after residents argued that the intended use does not align with the site’s zoned uses.

Resident Stephanie Duclos, who lives across the street from the 6 Arch St. shelter project, addressed the ZBA in a public hearing Thursday, alleging that contractors working for CSO are parking in areas that encroach on her land, overwhelming the sewer system and causing sewer backups.

Duclos, who filed the appeal, also argued that CSO will need a special permit to use the office space as housing, which she would also appeal, unless the city implemented the condition that CSO distribute $400 to $500 to abutters in the area each day as reimbursement for the expected negative impacts the shelter would have on the neighborhood.

“That is the relief I am seeking, to deny any occupancy of that building,” she said. “It’s going to impact not only us, but everyone in the community.”

The Planning Board approved the site plan for the Arch Street project — which aims to accommodate 45 shelter beds as CSO’s location at 60 Wells St. undergoes a $23 million renovation — on Jan. 4. At that meeting, Planning Director Eric Twarog cited Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A, Section 3, saying the property, as an educational facility, is exempt from the special permit process, which would require a public hearing.

In a heated exchange with Twarog, Duclos’ husband Ryan Whitney argued against city officials’ view that the project would not constitute a change in the site’s use and left after former Planning Board Chair Charles Kinney requested that police remove him from the building. Whitney argued that the site could not be considered an educational facility, and therefore, must undergo the special permit process.

ZBA Chair David Singer asked CSO President and CEO Karin Jeffers to explain what a day at the Arch Street shelter would look like in an effort to examine its supposed use as an educational facility.

“From the time individuals wake up until the time they go to sleep, there is educational support for individuals,” Jeffers said. “We’re teaching them daily living skills, we’re teaching them job-seeking skills, basic education support, nutritional support. We do a lot of work around independent living skills and household management skills. The goal, obviously, is for individuals to be there for as short a period of time as possible so they can go into permanent living situations.”

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Jeffers also listed self-care, music, writing, and medication and mental health management as other educational factors of the shelter. In response to a question about whether these skills are taught in a structured fashion, or if they are observed naturally over time, Jeffers responded that it is dependent on the individual’s needs.

However, Jeffers noted the facility does not have any certified teachers on staff, and does not require its residents to participate in any of its programs. According to CSO, shelter services contracts from the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities do not allow participation in enrichment or supplemental services to be mandatory as a qualifier for shelter; those services must be considered optional.

The ZBA will resume the public hearing concerning the appeal at 6:30 p.m. on June 20.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com.