Council approves business license for inpatient recovery center; planning & zoning recommended unanimous approval

The Wellsville City Council approved a business license Oct. 7 allowing Mike Robinson to reopen an inpatient recovery facility the transcript refers to as "Rising Ridge Recovery" (also referenced later in the meeting as "Ridgepointe/Ridgepointe Capital Business"). Robinson told the council the facility will initially accept Medicaid clients and hopes to become accredited after one year to begin receiving private-pay insurance.

"My name is Mike Robinson, and I'm here to meet with the city council for approval of our business license to open up, reopen, Rising Ridge Recovery," Robinson said. He said the center will be licensed for 78 beds initially and that the first-year clientele will be primarily Medicaid recipients and underserved residents.

Planning and Zoning reviewed the proposal and "recommended" approval unanimously, the transcript records. Council members asked about traffic and vehicle access; staff said residents would largely be transported in company vehicles and a mix of part-time graduated placements could reduce traffic impacts. Councilors raised security concerns given nearby hiking trails and public access; Planning and Zoning suggested fencing around the water-tank edge to prevent hikers from entering facility property.

Councilors and staff also discussed water compliance: the facility currently receives raw water from springs pumped and chlorinated by city processes before distribution; staff noted that for a culinary water system the property owner or the facility operator would need to work through the state and the municipality to meet water standards. Robinson said his group plans initially to lease the property with an option to purchase in two to three years and estimated an opening target for mid‑ to late‑February if permits and systems are in order.

A council member moved to approve the business license and the motion passed by voice assent. The transcript does not provide a roll‑call tally. The record includes several points the council asked staff to verify during follow-up: final water testing/chlorination compliance, site access and any required fence or buffer plans, and confirmation of the license language and operator name due to inconsistent references in the record.