COUNTY DENIES DRUG TREATMENT CLINIC FOR SPRING HILL

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners unanimously overturned a recent
decision by its planning members and rejected plans by Operation Par
to open a drug abuse clinic off Kass Circle in Spring Hill.

Dozens of residents at Tuesday's commission meeting spoke against the
clinic, saying it would increase the crime rate, make it unsafe for
children and seniors and devalue property.

Operation Par representatives said the clinic would be well-maintained
and would not have any adverse effects to the community.

Planning commissioners last month approved the zoning for the clinic,
agreeing with their staff saying they could not find any reason to
deny the request.

However, after two hours of debate Tuesday, county commissioners
determined the clinic would pose a health and safety risk to residents
and voted it down.

County Commissioner Jeff Stabins said the clinic is not a good fit
with the community.

"I don't think it's compatible for this kind of neighborhood," Stabins
said.

County Commissioner Dave Russell said he sees the need for the clinic
but not at the proposed site with so many residents living nearby.

Planning board members had already recommended approval of a special
exception use permit to operate the clinic in an existing
5,371-square-foot commercial building on the west side of Kass Circle,
just north of Spring Hill Drive.

But county commissioners decided to rehear testimony at the request of
several residents who oppose the clinic.

The company planned to renovate a former daycare center and operate
its Medication Assisted Patient Services (MAPS) program, a substance
abuse treatment plan for people addicted to pain pills, heroin,
Oxycotin and other opiates.

They would be treated by licensed doctors, nurses and medical
assistants and be given a physical examination, laboratory workup, an
in-depth assessment, individualized treatment plan and regular counseling.

The patients would have generally arrived by 5:30 a.m. and receive
treatments until around 11 a.m. so they can go to work.

The storefront is surrounded by retail and shopping on the south and
east and multifamily homes to the west.

Based in west central Florida, the nonprofit Operation Par Inc. has
operated for more than 40 years.

The agency currently provides addiction and mental health services in
Broward, Pinellas, Lee and Manatee counties, according to its website.
It started as a volunteer agency with a handful of employees but now
has more than 425 employees.

Realtor Buddy Selph, representing the applicant, told commissioners
there is a stigma regarding these clinics and urged the board to
approve the special exception.

Selph reminded commissioners their decision had to be based on fact
and not unfounded fears. A medical clinic is zoned for that site, he
said.

"There's no fact-based testimony here that says this will be
dangerous," Selph said.

Joe Lemieux, who said he lives half a mile from the proposed site,
said he has worked in a methadone clinic and knows what goes on there.

He doesn't believe the Kass Circle location is a proper use of the
property.

Resident Sharon Swanson agreed there is a stigma but stressed that
many of these clinic patients would be relapsed patients from the
criminal justice system.

"Treatment isn't the problem" she said. "It's the location. That is
fraught with difficulty when you back up against people's homes."