January 13, 2009

Dear Sirs,

Olde Towne Daphne Association (OTDA) members have attended several meetings lead by concerned citizens from the neighborhoods surrounding the Mercy Medical campus and their tenant, Townsend Recovery Center.  Because we support public discussion of issues having impact on our community, we have provided the forum for two of their meetings during our regularly scheduled Board meetings in December 2008 and January 2009.

Mercy Medical has been a valued part of our community and is able to operate its facility in an R-1 residential zone on Villa Drive, due to a special exception granted by the Building and Zoning Authority (BZA).   The variance is for a convalescent/hospice facility.  There have never been provisions for drug treatment, or any other types of programs, to be hosted on the site by either Mercy Medical or an outside group.

It is our understanding that Townsend Recovery will be leaving the Mercy Medical campus, but that does not resolve the question regarding the intended use of the site.  The surrounding residents have every right to expect that public input will be sought via a public hearing regarding any changes in the current or future use of the Mercy Medical facility.  It is good planning and good community relations to do so.

There is clearly a need for a method to handle business license applications from potential tenants leasing a property where a variance is has been granted for a specific purpose for that property. A review by the BZA, a public hearing and then a revision of the variance if appropriate would be necessary.  OTDA urges the City to review the procedures currently in place regarding the interpretation of special exemptions.

OTDA concurs with residents that the need for drug treatment programs in Daphne and the Eastern Shore remains important.  If Townsend Recovery chose to move its program to a site in our community, and the proper variances or exemptions were in place for that site, there would not be this discussion.  This is not a case of the community failing to support the Townsend program for addiction, or failing to understand addiction. It is a situation where citizens are asking that the special exemption granted to the Mercy Medical facility be adhered to!

On Tuesday, January 20th the City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the Mercy Medical Facility and their tenant, Townsend Recovery Center.  I urge residents to attend and listen to the resident’s concerns.

Sincerely,

Karen Nady, President, Olde Towne Daphne Association

P.O. Box 1022, Daphne, AL 36526

 ContactUs@OldeTowneDaphne.org