Washington County quorum court ratifies conditional use permit for Genesis Ranch after broad public support

The Washington County Quorum Court voted unanimously to ratify a conditional use permit for Genesis Ranch, a proposed residential treatment center for adolescent girls, following extensive public testimony in favor of the project.

Joy Thomas, executive director of Genesis Ranch, told the court the facility would be "a fully licensed and accredited medical facility designed specifically for adolescent girls facing self harm, suicidal behaviors, addictions, and trauma," and said the program would provide support to families and reduce long-term strain on schools, health care and law enforcement. Several neighbors and community leaders spoke in support during the public comment period.

Retired juvenile judge Stacy Zimmerman said the facility would benefit local youth, citing her 36 years in juvenile court, and urged the justices to approve the permit. LaMaris Baxter, a committee member and parent, acknowledged neighbors' safety and traffic concerns but said Genesis Ranch is "not a detention center" and asked the court to judge the proposal on facts rather than fear.

State Representative Steve Unger, who spoke in favor of the project, described it as a community-based response to adolescent mental-health and substance-use problems and asked the court to support the conditional use permit.

Opposition at the meeting focused primarily on questions about neighborhood impacts and site specifics rather than fundamental objections to the program. Planning board staff had recommended approval, and the court discussed the need for Genesis Ranch to follow conditions set by the planning commission.

The court took a roll-call vote on the third reading; every voting justice recorded a yes and the chair declared item 9 passed unanimously. The permit was ratified and the court moved on to remaining agenda items.