PLANS SCRAPPED FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY CENTRE

RICHMOND - They've fought long and hard trying to convince residents
to welcome recovering addicts into their neighbourhood.

But Turning Point Recovery Society has finally pulled the plug on its
hopes for a 32-bed housing development on Ash Street.

The proposal met with fierce local opposition ever since the
addiction service suggested opening a recovery centre at 8180 Ash
Street last year.

Turning Point hinted last month it might wait until after the
November city elections to push again for approval. However, rezoning
the area would have been required and the organization withdrew its
planning application by the end of last week.

"While our proposed development would have provided Richmond with a
valuable health-care asset, it became clear a revised rezoning
application would still have encountered challenges in terms of
community support," said Brenda Plant, Turning Point executive director.

"We've therefore decided to withdraw our rezoning application."

Turning Point had offered to reduce its plans from a 40-bed to 32-bed
complex. But the proposed site currently has zoning for only a 10-bed
facility, a hurdle City Hall was unlikely to overlook without
residents' approval.