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Middletown approves conditional use for 700 Crawford sober‑living home with accreditation, monitoring conditions
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use for a level‑2 recovery house at 700 Crawford Street with conditions requiring Ohio Recovery Housing certification, building permits and community safeguards; neighbors expressed strong opposition at the hearing.
The Middletown Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use for a level‑2 recovery house at 700 Crawford Street on June 11, attaching conditions that the operator obtain Ohio Recovery Housing accreditation, submit required architectural and building permits, and operate the property in accordance with house rules and staff monitoring.
The applicant’s representative confirmed the home is intended as transitional housing for people in recovery who have completed detoxification and who participate in peer‑support activities, curfews and drug screening. The operator’s counsel described the facility model and legal protections for disabled residents and said the operator has applied for Ohio Recovery Housing certification; staff presented a database entry showing Middletown Sober Living listed as seeking accreditation.
Neighbors spoke strongly in opposition, describing a history of drug activity at 700 Crawford and raising concerns about safety, property values and a school bus route that serves the block. “The city of Middletown shouldn’t allow a disorganization in an area where children reside,” said resident Christine Buzidas Reisner, who lives across the street and described prior illegal activity at the property.
Staff recommended approval with the conditions described above: proof that the operator has applied for Ohio Recovery Housing accreditation and demonstration of final accreditation within a reasonable timeframe; submittal of architectural plans and compliance with building inspection and certificate‑of‑occupancy requirements; and commitments that the operator enforce house rules, maintain the property, and provide onsite stewardship and a process for neighbor complaints. Commissioners added the same accreditation timing condition used earlier: document the application in the Ohio Recovery Housing system and provide final accreditation documentation to the city within 30 days of state approval.
After deliberation the commission approved the conditional use by majority vote. Staff will monitor the property and may call for a revocation hearing if the conditions are not met or if the property becomes a nuisance. The decision does not change the zoning of the block; it authorizes the conditional use under current R‑4 rules with the listed conditions.
