HEALTH CLINIC'S SITE PLAN UNDER COUNCIL REVIEW

Planning Staff Reporting To Oct. 5 Committee Meeting

City council's decision to review the site plan of a controversial
pain management and dependency clinic in Aldershot may delay the
health centre's fall opening.

Politicians approved at Tuesday's city council meeting a motion from
Councillor Rick Craven that gives the city's community development
committee meeting of Monday, Oct. 5 responsibility to approve the
site plan for Wellbeings.

A spokesperson for the controversial clinic remains confident the
site plan submitted last month will be approved, paving the way for a
late October opening as originally planned.

The business, located just west of Maplehurst Public School and
co-owned by well-known businessperson Peggi DeGroote, will include
methadone treatment as one element of its operation.

Too close to school: residents

Parents of children who attend Maplehurst, nearby residents and
business owners are upset the clinic is located so close to a school.
Many have expressed fear about the kind of clinic clientele students
might be exposed to.

Normally, city staff approve site plans, which in the case of
Wellbeings addressed two key components - parking and landscaping.

City Planning and Building Director Bruce Krushelnicki told the Post
his department was in the middle of completing what he described as a
"pretty straight forward" site plan application for Wellbeings, but
will now bring a report to the community development committee
meeting on Oct. 5 for councillors' consideration.

Krushelnicki said site plans do not address uses of the site in
question and reiterated the clinic is allowed to operate on the
property given its zoning compliance. The property in question is
zoned to permit medical uses.

If the committee rejects the site plan, Wellbeings could appeal to
the Ontario Municipal Board, (OMB) the planning director said. A
hearing could take 3-4 months and a ruling may take as long as five
weeks after the hearing concludes.

"The purpose of site plan and building permit applications is not to
create delay, it's to ensure that public interests are protected," he said.

Kim Paumier, clinic director and community liaison for Wellbeings,
said this week she's "disappointed" with council's motions but the
business plans to open its doors at what is currently an empty
building. Officials look forward to educating people on the clinic's
purpose, Paumier said.

"This has not changed our outlook on the clinic at all; it hasn't
lessened our drive to have the clinic where it is and to open (it) as
quickly as we can," she said. "Whatever needs to be done we're
willing to do that."

Craven, who represents the neighbourhood on council, said he put his
motion on the table because he wants to give residents more time to
speak to what has become a very sensitive issue. He said it's not a
delaying tactic.

"My purpose in putting forward this motion was to create more
opportunities for community dialogue," he said, adding the public
will have a chance to speak to the issue on Oct. 5 and at the city
council meeting on Oct. 19.

"What I've urged Mrs. DeGroote to do is share more information with
the public as soon as possible."

The councillor acknowledged DeGroote's option to go to the OMB if
council turns down the site plan.

Preferring that DeGroote relocate her clinic, Craven said he asked
her on Sunday about choosing a new site and was told she would not
change her application.

"Clearly, my constituents do not (like the location) and it's my job
to represent them," he said, noting he's received 100 e-mails for and
against the clinic.

Mayor Cam Jackson said the location of the proposed clinic is the key issue.

He said had he known about the clinic possibility, he would have
"worked pro-actively" with the owners and suggested they don't locate
near a school.

"There's a principle here that we need to have an early-warning
system on these kinds of issues," he said. "No one is saying this
health facility shouldn't exist."

In addition to Craven's motion, council also approved two Jackson
motions. One was for the city solicitor to report to the Sept. 16
committee meeting on "bylaws and other means to regulate methadone
dispensing, and needle exchange and safe injection sites."

The other is the director of planning and building report to council
on "best practices and develop a protocol which includes a public
consultation process for approving applications that involve
methadone dispensing, and needle exchange and safe injection sites."

Jackson said city legal staff will be looking at bylaws in Oshawa
dealing with clinics that dispense methadone.

"My intention is to get a proper bylaw in place as quickly as
possible should there be a second methadone clinic application," he
said, explaining the city created an adult entertainment bylaw that
states where such establishments can locate.

Asked if these motions are meant to stall the process, Jackson said:
"I'm trying to do my job as mayor."

Paumier said she's not concerned about the city possibly creating a
bylaw that would restrict a clinic on their Plains Road East site.

"Our application has already been filed with the city," she said.
"What needs to be understood is the law, in this case, is on our side."

DeGroote said last month her clinic has "nothing to hide" and is
trying to fill a community need when it comes to chronic pain issues
and chemical dependency.

The vast majority - 98 to 99 per cent - of clients accessing services
would be people dependent on prescription drugs like OxyContin or
Percocet, DeGroote said.

Methadone is one of the treatment options to be decided between the
doctor and the patient, she said.

The clinic has been a contentious one for many in Aldershot.

A protest held outside the future clinic site on Tuesday morning
attracted about 30 people. A neighbourhood meeting last Saturday -
attended by DeGroote - drew close to 200.

Another public meeting to discuss the clinic will be held at LaSalle
Park Pavilion (50 North Shore Blvd.) on Monday, Sept. 21 at 7 p. m.