Page County Planning Commission tables Brookside special-use permit pending legal conditions

At a Page County Planning Commission meeting, commissioners voted to table consideration of a special-use permit for Brookside, a proposed rehabilitation facility, to allow staff and the county attorney time to finalize draft conditions addressing safety and client eligibility.

The commission placed the item on hold after staff reported that new documents and a number of citizen letters had been submitted and that attorneys were still working on language to preclude some categories of offenders. A commissioner introduced a motion to table the matter until the next meeting "so we can review all the documentation that's been submitted to us and get the answers we need from legal," which was seconded and carried by roll call vote.

Why it matters: Neighbors raised concerns about the proposed location, possible impacts to property and public safety, and whether the facility would allow clients with violent or sex-offense histories. Public speakers said they support rehabilitation services in principle but want assurances about site security and the potential for off-site incidents.

During public comment, Patricia Long said she had provided a large packet of materials to commissioners and urged them to use those materials in their decision-making. William Long, a long-time resident, emphasized the site's historical and community value and urged careful treatment of the property. Other residents raised worries over crime, property values and the proximity of the facility to neighbors.

An applicant representative and operations staff described procedures intended to keep clients on site: staff said clients are subject to evening bed checks, that they are not permitted to simply walk off the property, and that if clients leave early they are transported to a safe location or another facility. The commission requested incident history; the applicant representative said no incidents of a client disappearing had occurred.

Staff and the county attorney told the commission they are working on drafting conditions that would preclude some categories of offenders from residency at the facility, but that certain limitations exist under federal law: staff noted the Fair Housing Act constrains the ability to exclude “court‑ordered” clients explicitly. Commissioners asked staff to identify the specific state code citations that will be used in the draft conditions.

Outcome and next steps: The motion to table carried on roll call (recorded votes in favor included Commissioners Adams, Turner, Greff and Chairman Burner). Staff was directed to return with vetted draft conditions — including recommended statutory references — at the next meeting. No final permit decision was made at this session.

The commission moved on to other business and scheduled follow-up work by staff; the Brookside item will return to the agenda once legal language and recommended conditions are provided.