ZONING BOARD'S VOTE MONDAY DECIDES CLINIC'S FATE

Chairman Says Laws Are Guide, Not Emotions

On Monday, a little-known group of volunteers accustomed to dealing
with the minutia of zoning rules will decide the fate of Horry
County's first methadone clinic.

The Board of Adjustments and Zoning Appeals will vote on whether to
reconsider its controversial approval of the Center of Hope, which
plans to open as soon as it receives final approval from state health
regulators.

The board approved the clinic's plans without controversy in July
2002. But then residents, business owners and parents of children who
attend a nearby school learned about the clinic and touched off a
firestorm. They worried that the clinic would bring drugs and
criminals to the area.

State Rep. Thad Viers, R-Socastee, led the challenge, saying the
county shouldn't allow the clinic to locate so close to schools and
neighborhoods. On Monday, he will formally petition the board to
reconsider its approval.

The clinic needed the board's approval because county zoning rules
require methadone clinics to receive special approval before opening.
Clinics are prohibited from locating within 2,000 feet of any school,
house of worship, library or residence. The board voted to waive that
rule.

The County Council is considering greater restrictions for methadone
clinics to avoid similar conflicts in the future. Myrtle Beach
restricts clinics to areas near hospitals and medical offices.

The board could decide to stand by its earlier decision. Or it could
vote to reopen the issue and hear testimony from both sides. After
re-hearing the issue, the board could vote to revoke approval or let
it stand. If the board votes to reconsider, the hearing will be
scheduled for a later meeting.

The board will focus on the details of county laws and not the
emotional arguments of either side, board Chairman Steven Alger said.
But the clinic, its supporters and opponents all will be allowed to
speak.

"I know there's a lot of emotion behind this issue, and understandably
so, but that's not what we'll be considering," Alger said. "The board
will do its job."

Viers says the board didn't properly consider Bridgewater Academy, a
charter school just around the corner - and closer than 2,000 feet -
from the clinic.

The clinic's directors say they and the board followed proper
procedure. They say time for debate was July 2002. Since then, clinic
owners have spent about $500,000 on the clinic.

The owners have hinted that they would pursue legal action if the
board revokes its approval.

Alger said he hasn't received any political pressure from County
Council members to vote one way or the other.

"We are going to make sure we do everything according to procedure,"
Alger said. "We don't want to make any mistakes."