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Council pauses proposed B-2A zoning change to consider conditions for mental‑health facility
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Summary
Council heard a request to allow hospitals and sanitoriums by special use permit in the B-2A district (CAF 24-07 / Ordinance 24-02) to accommodate a regional Vaya Health facility; supporters said it would expand mental‑health access, while Council moved to table the amendment and refer it to the Planning Board for conditions and further review.
City staff presented a proposed zoning text amendment (CAF 24-07 / Ordinance 24-02) to allow hospitals and sanitoriums in the B-2A (Highway Commercial "A") district by special use permit.
Development Services Director Corey Williams said the change would allow entities such as Vaya Health to locate facilities on highway-adjacent commercial corridors (examples named in the presentation included Dabney Drive, N. Garnett Street, Raleigh Road and Andrews Avenue). City Attorney D. Rix Edwards reminded Council that a text amendment is a legislative decision and should be considered as a change to the ordinance rather than a site-specific approval.
Elliott Clark, speaking as a representative of BioHealth, said the amendment would "provide much need accessibility to mental health services," locating services near the hospital and offering behavioral urgent care to relieve pressure on Maria Parham Hospital. Councilmember Sam Seifert asked whether other sites had been considered; Clark said other locations were explored but did not work out and that a vacant Recovery Innovations site is being considered for a child/adolescent program once ready.
Dan Brummitt also spoke in favor, saying the facility would provide a safe place for officers to take people with mental-health or substance-use issues and could reduce related costs for law enforcement.
Councilmember Michael Venable acknowledged the community need but expressed concern about placing such a facility amid retail corridors and near an interstate; he recommended sending the amendment back to the Planning Board to craft conditions. Councilmember Ola Thorpe-Cooper moved to table Ordinance 24-02 and refer it to the Planning Board for further study and possible conditions; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Michael Venable. The minutes record the motion and second but do not include a recorded vote in the excerpt provided.
The minutes do not show a final Council decision on Ordinance 24-02 in the excerpt; the item was put forward for additional review.