Portsmouth planning commission approves 85‑bed treatment facility at 901 Enterprise Way

The Portsmouth Planning Commission on Sept. 2 approved a use permit to convert a former assisted‑living building at 901 Enterprise Way into an 85‑bed drug and alcohol treatment facility.

Valerie Malzone, principal planner for the City of Portsmouth, told commissioners staff recommended approval after reviewing the application and noted the property is located in the General Mixed Use (GMU) zoning district. The building on the roughly 1.3‑acre site is about 27,300 square feet and the Board of Zoning Appeals previously granted a special exception reducing required parking from 55 spaces to 20.

Attorney Tyler Rose, representing the applicant, said the proposal is an adaptive reuse of the existing nursing‑home structure to operate as a clinically managed, high‑intensity residential care program commonly referred to as an ASAM 3.5 facility. "The proposed facility will host a maximum of 85 residents who are undergoing treatment for drug and alcohol addiction," Rose said. He added residents would reside on‑site for up to 30 days and the facility would be staffed around the clock.

Consultant Michael Rothstein of Genuine Care Consulting described program operations and regulatory steps: national accreditation (CARF), licensing through the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), and obtaining a Virginia Medicaid/DMAS number. He said the program is voluntary and "this is not a lockdown facility"; clients are not court‑ordered and, once admitted, would be cared for on‑site with clinical oversight and protocols for de‑escalation.

Both the applicant and staff emphasized security and clinical safeguards. Malzone and Rose described controlled access (key fob entry), security cameras on the perimeter and in common areas, and staff conducting checks on residents every 30 minutes. Rose said there would be 10–12 staff on a shift with three shifts per day and no patient visitors; parking would be for staff only.

A registered public speaker, Donna Biggs of the Woodbine Farms neighborhood, said she did not object but criticized the level of public communication and asked for clearer materials and notice to affected civic leagues. Commissioners discussed the adequacy of submitted materials and the applicant said the assisted‑living operation currently on the site is winding down but did not provide exact dates.

After public comment, the commission moved to approve the use permit. The motion passed with a recorded tally reported by the secretary as 5‑2‑1. The staff report states the item will be presented to City Council on Oct. 8, 2025, for further action.

The permit approval includes staff‑recommended conditions and relies on DBHDS licensing and any required inspections before operation.