RESIDENTS VOICE OPPOSITION TO CENTER

Oildale residents opposed to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center
planned in their neighborhood will have their say today before the Kern
County Board of Supervisors.

The residents have appealed to supervisors to reconsider a decision by the
county Board of Zoning Adjustment allowing the center. Planning Department
officials, however, are recommending that supervisors support the zoning
board's decision.

"We are hoping we will win, but it doesn't look very good," said resident
Elena Wood, who lives near the proposed site.

"We do feel something should be done about the drug problem in Kern County.
However, we believe the center should be located elsewhere, not by a
residential area. It sends a wrong message for children. It tells them to
do drugs, they can get help around the corner."

Residents do not want the center in their neighborhood, fearing for their
children's safety, a decline in property values and an increase in crime.
But those reasons couldn't legally be used to turn down the request, county
attorneys said.

A few weeks ago, the zoning board approved Turning Point Foundation's
request to open the center at 2525 North Chester Ave. Zoning board members
were advised by county attorneys that Turning Point's request could only be
rejected for land-use reasons.

County lawyers also noted drug and alcohol addiction is considered a
disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and fair housing
laws.

At last month's meeting, most of the residents who packed the supervisors'
chambers gave "fear-based testimony," which legally couldn't be grounds for
rejection, according to a county staff report.

This time, however, the appeal filed by residents is based more on land-use
issues. In the appeal, residents cite noise, traffic, water supply and
sewage disposal impacts the center could bring.

Center officials have agreed to some changes, including prohibiting sex
offenders from attending the center and making sure the program is strictly
a volunteer one.

Turning Point officials have said residents' fears of drug-induced or
drug-dealing clients are unfounded. They have explained to residents the
program is voluntary and that no parolees or inmates would be admitted. The
average stay will be 30 days, and the center will be open 24-hours-a-day
with staff on duty at all times.

Officials have said the center's impact would be less intrusive than that
of the site's previous tenant, Chevron's corporate headquarters.

Residents still are not convinced. Several have written letters to county
planning officials.

Wood said it's hard to tell what will happen today.

"I really don't know what's going to become of it, but we are going to do
our best to fight this," Wood said.

Copyright 1998, The Bakersfield Californian