ZONING BOARD CAN RETHINK CLINIC

Methadone Facility Open To Vote

A judge has ruled that Horry County's zoning board can reconsider its
approval of a controversial methadone clinic.

The vote to decide whether to reconsider approval for Center of Hope,
the county's first methadone clinic, could occur after the clinic opens.

The county's Board of Adjustments and Zoning Appeals' next meeting is
Dec. 8, though the board could call a special meeting before that.

The board will decide then if it wants to reconsider its approval. The
board could vote to do nothing or could vote to schedule another
meeting and hear arguments from all sides of the dispute.

S.C. Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, who leads the opposition to the
clinic, called Monday's ruling "a great win for public input."

The clinic's attorney vowed to defend the clinic before the
board.

The clinic is set to open as soon as it receives its formal permits
from the state. That could occur before the zoning board meets to
discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, the clinic's owners are seeking state permission to open a
third clinic in Florence.

One of the owners, Larry Worley, already operates a clinic in
Greenville.

Methadone is an addictive drug used to block addiction to heroin,
OxyContin, morphine and other opiates. It also is used as a painkiller.

The owners of the clinic insist it will provide a vital service to the
Grand Strand's recovering drug addicts, many of whom now drive daily
to Charleston, Wilmington or Columbia for treatment.

Residents, business owners and the parents of students at a nearby
school worry the clinic will attract drugs and criminals to the
Fantasy Harbour area.

The clinic was approved by the zoning board in July 2002. The
controversy began in October, as the community took notice of the
clinic's plans.

Viers had asked the board to reconsider its approval of the clinic.
The board was set to vote on whether it would reconsider when the
clinic filed an injunction to block the board.

The ruling by Circuit Judge John Breeden concluded that the board can
reconsider its decisions and that the clinic will have the opportunity
to defend itself should the board vote to reconsider.

The clinic could be shut down if the board votes to take up the issue
again and then votes to reverse its earlier approval. Conversely, the
board could decide to let its approval stand.

"Both sides still have options," Viers said. "... This just means the
public will have the opportunity to weigh in on both sides. Every
point I bring up, they can bring up a counterpoint."

Viers said he plans to ask the board to call a special meeting this
month.

Williams said the clinic will be prepared to defend itself whenever
the zoning board meets.

"We'll be prepared to argue our case," Williams said.

Williams had argued that the county had no right to reverse a decision
it made 16 months ago. He said the clinic had spent $400,000, hired
employees and begun the state's permitting process and that it would
be unfair to reverse the approval now.

In his ruling, Breeden said it would be premature for the courts to
block the zoning board. He said the clinic could appeal to the courts
if the zoning board reverses its decision.

The clinic's owners also hope to open a clinic in Florence. They have
filed paperwork with the state to show the need for a clinic there.