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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06/11/2014 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington 98362 June 11, 2014 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: David Miller, Tim Boyle, Duane Morris, Scott Headrick, George Reimlinger. Nancy Powers, Thomas Davis Members Absent: None Staff Present: Sue Roberds, Ben Braudrick, Heidi Greenwood Public Present: Sally Beaven, Craig Phillips, Cristine Williams, Gayle McCormick, Deana Volker, Mike and Judy Flynn, Iva Burks, Jude Anderson, Barbara Meyer, Eric Neger, Bruce O'Rourke, Jewell Brisbin, Dune Benedict, Ann Barney, Ron and Summer Plute, Lytezia Morres, Rob and Elizabeth Wharton, Danetta Rutten, Margie Bauer, Frank McPhee, C. Lefler, Juistin Brophy, Brian Buchamlan, Melanie McCaughan, Patricia Walker, Sylvia Berquest, Joan Miller, R.S. Easten, Norma Turner PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Headrick opened the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m., and led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Powers moved to approve the May 28, 2014, regular meeting minutes with a minor typographical correction. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Boyle and passed 6—0 with Commissioner Morris abstaining due to absence at the meeting. PUBLIC HEARING: Chair Headrick reviewed the qualifying questions for quasi judicial proceedings with Commissioners. All Commissioners responded that they had no Appearance of Fairness issues to report. The Chair then reviewed the quasi judicial public hearing procedures for audience members. No concerns were voiced. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT — CUP 14-05 — CRALI PROPERTIES 825 i East Fifth Street: Proposal to allow a chemical dependency and detoxification use in the Commercial Office zone. Chair Headrick opened the public hearing. Planning Manager Sue Roberds provided the Department Report recommending approval of the conditional use application with two conditions. Planning Commission Minutes June 11,2014 Page 2 Craig Phillips, 17009 N. Highland Ln, Colbert, WA owns American Behavioral Human Services (ABHS) that provides chemical dependency services elsewhere in Washington State. Mr. Phillips agreed to conduct a pilot project for a 16 bed residential special service facility as suggested by the Department of Social and Health Services to determine the viability of smaller chemical dependency treatment facilities. He started the pilot project (16 bed) program two years ago with state and federal funding. The program has been very successful. The smaller facility (named specialty services) is not part of his other ABHS functions. For funding purposes, the smaller facilities cannot be combined with each other or larger facilities; licensing specifically restricts the size. The current proposal is for a 16 bed residential chemical treatment use (specialty service) with an additional 16 bed residential detoxification use for a total of a maximum of 32 of residential treatment beds. Mr. Phillips had read the staff report and had no questions or concerns but was available for questions. Sally Beaven, 403 E. 4th Street will be managing the specialty service use and detoxification treatment use. Ms. Beaven had read the staff report and had no questions but responded to several inquiries from Commission members. Commissioner Nancy Powers asked Ms. Beaven about the difference between detoxification and in patient treatment. Ms. Beaven responded that in patient treatment is medically supervised and allows the patient to withdraw from drugs and alcohol with detoxification offered as the second phase of treatment. This two step process allows education and hopefully ensures success that a person will not return to drug and alcohol use. Commissioner Thom Davis asked why there are so many rooms in the site plan. Ms. Beaven responded that there are more bed areas shown on the site plan than will be used but there are more than 32 beds proposed because not all clients will share a room. Some clients will be better served in private rooms. However, there will never be more than 32 patients on site at any time. Commissioner Reimlinger asked about guests. Will guests be allowed and where will they park? Ms. Beaven responded that guests will be allowed but visits will be carefully scheduled such that parking demands are not overtaxed. Commissioner Miller asked about ownership of the building? Mr. Phillips responded that CRALI Properties owns the building but will transfer that ownership to Specialty Services that will be managed by Ms. Beaven. The state has very stringent requirements regarding co mingling of funds. Commissioner Davis asked whether there would be an outdoor smoking area? Ms. Beaven responded that there will be an outdoor smoking area but clients will need to be accompanied by staff when outside the premises. S Commissioner Miller asked if staff are professional medical staff? Ms. Beaven responded "yes." Three (3) to four (4) staff will be on shift for monitoring purposes. It would depend on how many patients are being served as to how many employees are on shift. Commissioner Morris asked if priority could be given to ensure clients are from Clallam County as opposed to from other parts of the state. Ms. Beaven explained how clients are Planning Commission Minutes June 11,2014 Page 3 scheduled and that it is possible, and desirable to designate that patients need to be local referrals first before taking clients from elsewhere. Commissioner Reimlinger asked if employees would be hired locally? Ms. Beaven responded "yes!" Ms. Beaven noted that she has been doing this for 26 years and is confident that the facility will be well run and of benefit to the community. Commissioner Morris asked about security. Ms. Beaven responded that the facility will be electronically secured for the safety of clients. Security will be provided 24/7 with employees monitoring the grounds as well to ensure that nothing is occurring outside the facility that will endanger the recovery of clients. In so doing, the neighborhood will also be observed. There are a number of checks and balances performed to ensure security of clients. All windows and doors are armed. In response to Commissioner Morris, Ms. Beaven responded that it would be very unusual for noise from within the building to be heard outside; certainly no more than a normal residential use. There is no screaming. Inside activities include discussion, eating, group meetings, only 16 people and some staff are involved. She has never had complaints from any neighbors in the communities where she has worked in this type of facility. The specialty service use in Chehalis is next door to a senior housing project. There have not been concerns and letters to that effect are in the file. Commissioner Boyle asked if there has been a need to discharge patients without success? Ms. Beaven responded "sometimes but not often." The use is voluntary. If clients feel the need to leave, they will be provided transportation home. Mike Flynn, 211 Jay Robinson Road spoke in support of the proposal. He has been a county chemical dependency counselor for the past 14 years. A continuum of care is lacking in Clallam County. There is a major break in the system without a continuum of care. It's like running a hospital without an emergency room. He does approximately 150 interventions a year and that only scratches the surface. The need in Clallam County is overwhelming. Gayle McCormick, 72 Red Cedar Lane agreed with the previous speaker. If you are not able to provide a certain level of care, you are missing an opportunity to get people to recovery. A residential center is necessary to make recovery possible. 19—25 year old young people who are addicted to opiates and heroin are not being served locally. Donetta Rutton, 723 E. 6t" worked 34 years of law enforcement and probation in Clallam County. There is a dire need in PA for this type of treatment. People in the area are transported elsewhere for treatment. She strongly supported the use as a professional and, as a resident in the neighborhood, was supportive of the proposed location. Mr. McCall, 472 Leland Avenue is a former administrator for the Quileute Tribe. Tribal folks need a local treatment center. An opportunity to be assisted locally provides a grounding opportunity for people from the area to be treated locally. He grew up at 735 E. 6"' Street and would be ultimately proud to have a treatment center in his neighborhood. Planning Commission Minutes ,Lune 11,2014 Page 4 Bruce O'Rourke, 726 E. 4"' Street, spoke against the proposal. He lives in the neighborhood and doesn't feel that it's right for the neighborhood. Security is a concern. Having been in a detox facility, he testified that the use will be loud and disruptive. A facility such as is proposed is needed but this is not a good place for the use. Duane Benedict, P.O. Box 2305, Port Angeles is a resident in the neighborhood and does not believe that this is a good location for the proposed use. Noise is a big concern. The 4/5 alley is a very busy, well used alley and additional use is not desired. The previous nursing home was disruptive; screams were heard all day. Cristina Williams, 111 East 9"' Street appreciates and understands there is a need for this type of use but there is also a need for more meaning, community discussion about development of this type of use in the community. Craig Axlbaum (no address) has been in this type of treatment. It worked for him and it will work for others. Norma Turner, 3928 Mt. Angeles, represents the Senator Hargrove Advisory Committee and knows there is a desperate need for this type of treatment facility in this community. Clients are voluntarily being served; this is not an involuntary use. They come because they want help. The recovery is a family process. The treatment center will be operated similarly to the previous convalescent center and will be of great benefit to the community. She supported approval of the permit. John DeBor 519 South Oak stated that people who need treatment and/or are homeless are an incredible drain to the community. Having this facility will be a good thing for the community recovery. Betsy Wharton, 3207 South Maple Street noted that staff s proposed Condition 2 requires a one year review at which time issues of concern can be brought to light and resolved. Clallam County has a very high substance abuse rate as compared to other counties in the state. Such a use will be a great economic benefit to the community as it will result in a reduction of services that are a result of addiction. Rob Epstein 3207 South Maple Street is a physician who recognizes an unbelievable problem in this area relative to drug and alcohol abuse. Such addictions affect pregnant women, children, spouses, partners, and the community at large. This is a problem that is important to the entire community to resolve. Teresa Lingvall, 4219 South Cedar Mill Road is a recovering alcoholic. Alcohol affects loved ones and family members. The proposed initial one year conditional approval will allow a resolution of any issues that may not have been addressed in the initial permitting action. She asked that the permit be approved as proposed. It is much needed. Ron Plute 301 W 11th is a minister at the church at the corner of 5"'/Race Street immediately across the street from the subject location. His ministry is in complete support of the proposal and will be helpful in whatever way possible. He doesn't see anything to fear regarding the Planning Commission Minutes June 11,2014 Page 5 proposal. He is a recovered addict and believes that addicts are mostly not to be feared_-they just need help. It is those who wander the streets who are the problems, not the people who are seeking treatment. Gene Meyer 1914 Elwha Road has worked providing care in both nursing homes and a detox facility. The nursing home was noisy; Highland Courte (the detox facility) was quiet. People are busy during the day getting treatment. They are not inmates; they are patients there to get help. They want what the facility will provide. When the building was unoccupied break-ins and on- site drug use was rampant. This is a readymade treatment facility and a good place for the use.. Commissioner Morris asked Ms. Beaven about on site signage? Ms. Beaven answered that a sign indicating the naive of the business and the address will be on the building. Otherwise, the use is intended to be quite anonymous. Commissioner Miller asked what a typical treatment period of time would be. Ms. Beaven responded that a typical stay is no more than 30 days. There being no further testimony, Commissioner Boyle moved to continue the public hearing to the June 25, 2014 regular meeting of the Planning Commission, 6 PM, City Council Chambers. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Davis and passed unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None STAFF REPORTS None REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS None ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:3 5 PM. '�_:lz—le Sue Roberds, ecretary Scott Hevritk, Chair PREPARED BY: S. Roberds 3