Planning commission backs Haven Health permit with 36-month licensing window

The James City County Planning Commission on Aug. 6 recommended the Board of Supervisors approve SUP24-0035, a special use permit for Haven Health Management to operate a mental health and substance abuse treatment facility at 1807 Jamestown Road. The commission voted unanimously to forward the permit with one change: a condition extending the required state licensing period from 24 months to 36 months to account for potential delays.

Staff described the property as split-zoned R-8 (rural residential) and LB (limited business) and designated Low Density Residential on the county'045 Comprehensive Plan. The applicant proposes to convert the existing New Dawn Assisted Living Facility building to a hospital-level mental health and substance abuse treatment facility serving up to 50 voluntary patients for stays typically ranging from 30 to 60 days. The applicant nd staff said most building changes would be internal; exterior site work would be limited and would include adding parking spaces and upgrades to an existing BMP (best management practice) stormwater facility at the site plan stage.

Cheyenne Ryker, general counsel for Haven Health Management, told commissioners the operator runs accredited behavioral health facilities and intends to staff the site 24/7 and to keep the facility self-contained. "Inpatient level of care ... they do 4 groups a day. They do actual work on themselves daily. They don't leave site," Ryker said, adding that if a patient attempted to leave against medical advice the facility would "transport" the person and make arrangements rather than simply releasing them to the community.

Clinical director Jackie Daniels described local need, citing statewide overdose and suicide statistics and noting that many people with substance use disorders do not receive treatment. Daniels said the organization typically employs master'level clinicians, medical and nursing staff, and case managers and focuses on co-occurring disorder treatment and family engagement.

The applicant team said staffing expectations are an average of 20 employees on-site at a time, with a maximum of 30 and three company vehicles kept on the property; the site plan before the commission shows 33 parking spaces, two drop-off spaces and two ADA spaces. The applicant requested changing condition number 9 in the draft conditions to allow 36 months to obtain the required license rather than 24 months; the commission approved that change.

Commissioners and staff discussed compatibility with nearby uses after Commissioner Rogers noted adjacent businesses along Jamestown Road including a brewery with outdoor music and a convenience store. Staff said compatibility questions of that nature are largely beyond the planning staff nalysis for this special use permit; the applicant said patients would not be permitted to park on site or leave unescorted as part of the program design. One nearby resident, Marilena Dalmao Wilkie, who said she lives two houses from the 7-Eleven, asked about security and whether armed guards would be present; the applicant invited her to discuss security protocols after the hearing.

The commission conditionally recommended approval. Commissioners praised the applicant's community impact statement and environmental due diligence; staff will work with the applicant on required BMP upgrades at site-plan review. If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the assisted living use currently permitted at the property would no longer be allowed.