On January 20th OTDA joined a neighborhood group of concerned citizens to participate in a Public Hearing regarding Townsend Recovery Center and Mercy Medical.  Residents asked the city to clarify (1) What the variance/special exemption to operate in a R-1 residential neighborhood actually allows Mercy Medical to do and (2) If Mercy Medical were to stop operating and leave the present facility, what would happen to the variance and would the property revert back to R-1.

A resolution to have the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) study the special exception failed to receive a 2nd and failed. In Council Comments, the mayor and several council members expressed the need for review, but there was not a commitment as to when. To read the proposed resolution please click on: Resolution #2009-05.

OTDA's letter to the editor, published on Sunday, January 18th can be read by clicking on: Letter. For background information from concerns residents please see: Letter to Council and  Information sheet below for details. A Dec. 9th Flyer contains original letter to neighbors. For further information contact Christopher Hill at  626-7075.

Information sheet circulated by neighborhood residents December 12, 2008:

ARE YOU AWARE THAT A DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY

IS NOW OPERATING AT THE MERCY MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

ON VILLA DRIVE?

               Name of facility:  Townsend Recovery Center (www.TownsendRecovery.com)

               Who are they?    Townsend is a for- profit drug rehab program designed to treat opiate addicts with the drug Suboxone (www.suboxone.com )

                                            which is an alternative to Methadone. Townsend offers outpatient groups Tuesday thru Thursday nights, 6-9 PM as well as   

                                            individual and family services during the day. Their website states that they are open 24 hours 7 days per week. They recruit
                                            patients from Mississippi to Florida. Patients are either court ordered or self-referred.
                  
               Why Should You Care?          
                               ■  The facility is located in the heart of a heavily wooded, residential area within walking distance from several neighborhoods pre- 

                                    school, elementary, junior high and high schools; churches and parks.  

                               ■  The facility has easy access to the bay and surrounding neighborhoods with no adequate security or lighting. Petty vandalism has

                                   already increased.

                               ■  This is an R1 residential area where children and elderly residents reside.

                               ■  There is an increase in traffic during the evening hours of operation and reports of erratic driving.

                               ■   When the Mercy Medical administration building was granted approval, it was understood that it was only for personnel use and

                                    that the patient population on the Mercy Medical Campus would not be increased.

                                ■  It has been stated publically that Townsend intends to pursue approval for residential services.  What would prevent Mercy

                                    Medical from “leasing” more space for residential beds for Townsend patients?

                               ■  What responsibilities and liabilities will Mercy Medical be willing to assume?

                               ■  What will happen to the property values and insurance rates of the residential area?
 

                What Do We Want?

                                ■  We all should understand and support the need for treatment for those individuals and families

                                    facing the challenges of addiction. However, we do not believe the middle of a residential community is the   

                                    appropriate location for such a facility.
 

                                ■  We all should understand and support the need for treatment for those individuals and families facing the     

                                    challenges of addiction. However, we do not believe the middle of a residential community is the   

                                     appropriate location for such a facility.

                                ■  We want the City of Daphne to deny renewal of the Townsend Recovery Center’s business license at   

                                    the Mercy Medical facility!

                What Can We Do?

                              ■  Attend a community meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 6:30PM at the Daphne Public Library.

                                  Come to the Daphne City Council Meeting on 12/15/08, 6:30PM to voice your concerns.

 

                For More Information:   Go to www.OldeTowneDaphne.org, or contact Christopher Hill at  626-7075