Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health Facility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission approves conditional use for short-term stabilization facility operated by East Alabama Mental Health
Summary
The Opelika Planning Commission approved a conditional use allowing a short-term crisis stabilization facility operated by East Alabama Mental Health after a brief public hearing; staff recommended approval and applicants answered questions about staffing and patient stay.
The Opelika Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permitting a short-term crisis stabilization facility operated by East Alabama Mental Health after a public hearing during its June meeting.
The facility is described by applicants as a stabilization site where patients stay until discharged and are “breached and stabilized,” with 24-hour staff on site. The commission’s action followed staff recommendations for approval.
Trent Scarborough, of Northstar Engineering, and Jimmy Dickey, of East Alabama Mental Health, attended the hearing to answer questions. Scarborough said, “We're just here if you have any questions.” In response to a commission question about patient flow, a representative for East Alabama Mental Health described the facility as serving “folks that are seeking kind of stabilization from crisis. They don't leave the facility until they're discharged and breached and stabilized, and we have staff there 24 hours a day.”
Commissioners made and seconded a motion for approval with staff recommendations; the motion carried with the vote recorded as “Aye.” The commission did not record alterations to the staff conditions during the public hearing.
The action advances the applicant’s plan to operate the stabilization facility under the city’s conditional-use process; any required building permits, inspections or licensing were not discussed in detail at the hearing. The record does not specify the facility’s licensed bed count, address, or exact operating model beyond the description provided by applicants.
