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Residents raise alarm over planned clinic at 1609 Colden Avenue; board to investigate zoning and permitting
Summary
Neighbors told Community Board 11 they found a banner advertising opioid‑addiction treatment at 1609 Colden Avenue, a residential block; board staff said a billing‑department permit was visible in documents and pledged to research permitting and bring the matter to the housing committee.
Multiple residents appearing during Community Board 11’s public gallery raised concerns that a private house at 1609 Colden Avenue is being converted to a medical clinic offering opioid‑addiction treatment and other services, and they urged the board to investigate zoning, permits and neighborhood impacts.
Rob, a longtime resident, said a banner advertised a “family clinic” and listed opioid addiction treatment among services. “So, I mean, how does that go about getting permits to open up in a private residential area?” he asked the board.
Other neighbors described work to the property, new parking spaces and vehicles delivering equipment. Judith said contractors “tore up the ground in front of that so that people can park there,” and Linda Vitara, who lives nearby, said she learned of the plan “secondhand” and asked the board for clarification.
Jeremy, the district manager for Community Board 11, told speakers that the board office had a copy of a billings‑department permit in the materials it received and that, legally, there may be little the board can do without additional information. He urged residents to provide contact details so staff could follow up and said the board office would call the relevant city agencies and check 311 records.
“The picture I did receive from Harriet, they do have a billings department permit,” Jeremy said. “So the legally, there may not be anything we can do, but we will look into it.”
Board members said they would bring the issue to the housing committee and scheduled further review so the applicant can explain the proposed use before the board. Committee leadership committed to investigating the permitting status with city agencies and to alerting residents when more information becomes available.
No enforcement decision or formal vote was recorded; the board’s action was to request further information and to place the matter on a committee agenda.
