Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Special Exception topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission backs recommendation for Russell Wellness counseling center at 109 North Bridge Street
Summary
The Town of Elkton Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the Board of Zoning Appeals grant a special exception to allow Russell Wellness and Recovery Center LLC to operate a counseling and community-support center at 109 North Bridge Street; the applicant described services and staffing plans and said a behavioral review packet will be submitted.
Kathleen Phipps, representing Russell Wellness and Recovery Center LLC, told the Planning Commission she seeks a special exception to operate a counseling and community-support center at 109 North Bridge Street.
Phipps said the proposed center would serve people with disabilities and others in need of wraparound support, including job search help, library or community trips, social-skills training, therapist referrals and assistance locating housing or daycare. "I wanted to open up a center for people with disabilities," Phipps said, adding that her phone "blows up every day with 20 or 30 resources for food places and diapers for babies." She told the commission the operation would be new, would run roughly 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and would initially employ about four to five staff members.
Chair Dave Wiseman asked about licensing and community connections. Phipps said she has longstanding relationships with therapists and social services who will refer clients and support activities, and that a packet must be submitted to the behavioral review authority.
After brief questions from Commissioners Paul Manuel and others about staffing and licensure, Commissioner Edward Ginder moved that the Planning Commission forward a favorable recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a special exception to operate a mental-health/counseling clinic in the TC (Town Center) zone. Commissioner Keith Thompson seconded and the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.
The Planning Commission’s recommendation is advisory; the Board of Zoning Appeals will make the final decision. The motion passed without recorded conditions; the applicant and the board may need to address any state-level licensing or behavioral-health review requirements during the appeals process.
