Planning commission recommends Hope Center’s 12‑month recovery program for Philpott Road property

The Halifax County Planning Commission on May 19 recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a Conditional Use Permit for Hope Center Ministries to convert a Philpott Road residence into a 12‑month male substance‑abuse recovery program.

Justin Caba, Hope Center’s Danville campus director and Southeast district director, told the joint meeting the program is “a Christ‑centered 12‑month discipleship program” divided into three phases and includes workforce development, structured daily schedules and volunteer work. He said centers maintain property‑wide camera systems and 24‑hour staff supervision.

The Commission and Board pressed the applicant on operations. Caba said the proposed Halifax facility would not expand the exterior footprint; it would house up to 34 men in existing space reconfigured for bedding, operate seven days a week with on‑site staff and interns, and use three 15‑passenger vans for transportation. He said residents are randomly drug‑tested twice monthly and that the program will escort and transport any participant who chooses to leave rather than releasing them into the community.

Nearby residents raised security and proximity concerns during public comment. Gordon Rowland, who said his property is separated from the site by a creek, asked whether a backup generator would be provided; Caba confirmed the facility would have a generator. Betty Furman of Alton said she opposed locating the program nearby because she was worried it would bring “too many people into the area.” Durrell Chandler said the proposed ratio of four staff to as many as 34 residents appeared low given local emergency response times, a point Caba sought to address by describing resident leadership roles, overnight monitors and camera coverage.

Supporters and people associated with Hope Center also spoke. Realtor Rick Fain, representing the buyers and sellers, described the property as about 46 acres, set back roughly 500 feet from Route 58 with screening trees and facilities (pond, gazebo, pool) suitable for family activities, and said the plan included converted, finished interior space rather than placing cots in an empty garage.

Planning Commission discussion noted the site’s history of prior residential and institutional uses and several commissioners spoke from personal experience of the program’s benefits. Vice Chair J. Jennings moved, seconded by A. Hughes, to recommend approval with eighteen site conditions; the Commission voted 7‑0 to forward the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

The recommendation now goes to the Board of Supervisors, which had not taken a final Board vote on the CUP during the May 19 meeting.