4/7/1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

TO: The Honorable Members DATE: of the Board of County Commissioners March 13, 1987 FILE: DIVISION HEAD CONCURRENCE: SUBJECT: Robert M. KeatitpAMt , eAap Planning & Deve Director R� 5 FROM.. Richard M. Shearer, Chief/Long-Range Planning COUNTY -INITIATED REQUEST TO ADD RESIDENTIAL TREAT- MENT CENTERS TO THE CL, CG, AND CH DISTRICTS AS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE It is requested that the data herein presented be given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at their regular meeting of April 7, 1987. DESCRIPTION & CONDITIONS The Planning Department has been approached about the appropriate location for a drug rehabilitation treatment center. The staff's original determination was that such a facility should be classified as a group home and would be allowed as a special exception use in the RM -6, RM -8, RM -10 and RM -14 zoning districts. On February 13, 1987, the staff held a meeting with several individuals who are trying to establish a drug rehabilitation treatment center in Indian River County. These individuals indicated that they were having difficulty in locating suitable f land in the County for a treatment center and inquired about allowing these centers in commercial zoning districts. The staff indicated that this would require an amendment to the zoning ordinance. On February 17, 1987, the Board of County Commissioners directed the Planning staff to prepare a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance which would establish Residential Treatment Centers as a special exception use in the CG, General Commercial District. On March 12, 1987, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5 -to -0 to recommend approval of the attached ordinance which would allow Residential Treatment Centers in the CL, CG and CH zoning districts as a special exception use. ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS Upon discussion with representatives of the mental health program, it was determined that residential treatment centers are different than group homes. Residential Treatment Centers are basically secure treatment facilities treating in -patients, and these facilities function more like a nursing home or hospital. In reviewing this proposal, staff notes that it may be more appropriate to locate such a facility in a commercial area than in a residential area. This is because treatment facility residents will not interact with the community, but instead will be confined to the facility. The staff has prepared an ordinance to allow Residential Treatment Centers in the CL, CG and CH districts as a special exception use which would require approval by the Board of County Commissioners based on criteria in the ordinance. Staff feels that while Residential Treatment Centers could be justified in the CL district as easily as in the CG district, such facilities would not be appropriate in the CH district which is not designed for any type of residential use. RECOMMENDATION The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the attached ordinance to allow residential treatment centers in the CL, CG and CH districts. The staff recommends approval of the attached ordinance with the exception that residential treatment centers not be included in the CH district. APR 7,1 987 53 BOOK 67 Pl r 830