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Planning board approves conditional use to expand Karis Eating Disorder Care residential program
Summary
The Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board on April 1 approved CU 2025-002, allowing Karis Eating Disorder Care to expand residential treatment capacity at two adjoining single-family properties on Roses Bluff Road.
The Nassau County Planning and Zoning Board approved a conditional use permit April 1 allowing Karis Eating Disorder Care (formerly operating as Bring Your Brokenness Incorporated) to expand its residential eating-disorder treatment from two adjoining single-family homes on Roses Bluff Road.
Stephanie Kaiser of the planning department said the applicant has operated a licensed program from 87616 Roses Bluff Road for about two and a half years under a community-residential-home allowance for six or fewer residents. Because demand exceeded the licensed capacity, the organization purchased the adjoining parcel at 87618 Roses Bluff Road and applied for a conditional use to expand residential treatment capacity and add a smaller adolescent program.
Amy Shields, founder and CEO of Karis Eating Disorder Care, described the demand and the organization's nonprofit approach. She told the board the average cost of residential treatment nationally is about $2,000 per day and that a typical recommended residential course is 60 days: "The average cost per day is $2,000 and with a clinical recommendation of a minimum of 60 days, that means it's about $120,000 for those without insurance." Shields said Karis operates on a nonprofit, scholarship-supported model and currently has a waiting list of roughly 20 to 30 adults.
Staff concluded the use met conditional-use review criteria in Land Development Code Section 5.04, noting the properties will appear similar to other houses in the area, there is adequate access and utilities for the intended use and screening/buffer requirements will be addressed during site and building review. Staff recommended approval with a condition; the board amended the motion to include the staff-recommended condition that rights be transferrable and run with the property.
Motion and vote: Board member Fendig moved to approve CU 2025-002 with the staff-recommended condition; Board member Morris seconded. The motion passed by voice vote (6-0).
Why it matters: The decision permits expansion of a licensed, nonprofit residential treatment program for eating disorders, increasing local behavioral-health capacity. Staff and the board emphasized site-plan and buffering compliance during subsequent building- and site-review steps.
Reported action: Conditional use CU 2025-002 approved with condition that permit rights be transferable and run with the property.
