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After heated public hearing, Franklin council approves special‑use permit for 16‑bed crisis stabilization unit at 204 Morton Street
Summary
Following testimony both for and against, council approved Clarence Baker’s special‑use permit to operate a 16‑bed adult crisis stabilization/residential program at 204 Morton St., imposing conditions on security cameras, lighting and electrical upgrades; some council members recorded abstentions during the vote.
Franklin City Council on Aug. 12 approved a special‑use permit allowing Baker’s Home to operate a 16‑bed crisis stabilization/crisis receiving center at 204 Morton Street, but added conditions requiring camera placement in appropriate areas, improved exterior lighting and necessary electrical upgrades.
The hearing drew extensive testimony. Carlton Carter, Franklin City Schools superintendent, told the council he was ‘‘concerned’’ about proximity to S.P. Morton Elementary and urged careful review of safety and potential disruptions to students. Adjacent property owner Mark Pierce (Mid Atlantic Dairy Queen LLC) opposed a rezoning for a separate item because of parking constraints, and several speakers voiced safety concerns near schools.
Clarence Baker and members of his organization defended the proposal as a needed local treatment option. Baker described converting an underused facility into a short‑term inpatient crisis stabilization unit serving primarily substance‑use needs and said the Morton Street site would house 16 adults. Multiple treatment professionals and residents testified in support, citing regional gaps in inpatient services and the value of a local, short‑stay option to reduce repeat incarceration or long transports to distant facilities.
Council asked clarifying questions about capacity and operations. Staff and Baker representatives said clients would be adults only, that clinical staff (licensed clinicians, nurses) would be on site, and that the facility would operate 24 hours with monitoring and staff outreach when residents leave. Baker denied community assertions that the facility ‘‘locks the door’’ and would prevent re‑entry; he and supporters said staff would retrieve residents who left and try to reengage them.
After discussion councilmember 9 moved to approve the special‑use permit with conditions on cameras, lighting and electrical load; the motion passed. The minutes show recorded abstentions during the roll call. The council also read and adopted the ordinance language implementing the special‑use permit.
Supporters and critics both left the meeting acknowledging the council’s decision; staff said the matter may return to the planning commission only if further conditions or technical changes are required.
