Lawrence BZA affirms Indianapolis finding that Hickory residential substance‑use treatment is similar to a nursing home, 3‑2

The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3‑2 on Feb. 18 to affirm a 2020 administrative determination by the City of Indianapolis that the Chosen Lawrence Manor LLC facility (doing business as Hickory) operates as a specialty residential substance‑use disorder treatment facility whose characteristics align with the zoning definition of a nursing home.

The board’s decision follows a contested public hearing in which attorneys and clinicians for the applicant described the program and neighborhood residents and others raised concerns about past permitting, neighborhood impacts and enforcement. Supporters said the facility operates at ASAM level 3.5 with clinical staffing and controlled admissions; opponents said the operator misled the city and neighborhood and that the designation will limit future zoning control.

Kevin Bucheit, a land‑use planner with the law firm Krieg Devault, told the board the item before the panel was to “affirm the 2020 administrative determination of the City of Indianapolis” under Indiana Code 36‑7‑4‑918.1 and the Indianapolis zoning ordinance. He summarized the operation as a licensed, short‑term residential program that provides high‑intensity clinically focused services (ASAM level 3.5), does not provide…