Planning commission approves outpatient recovery center despite neighborhood concerns

The City of Las Vegas Planning Commission voted to approve a special-use permit for Better Days Recovery Center, an outpatient substance-use counseling facility proposed for 2330 Paseo Del Prado.

Neighbors spoke against the application during the public comment period. Kristen Schuler, who said she lives at 2209 Paseo Del Prado, told the commission the site is "maybe 250 feet from my front door" and said the neighborhood already experiences traffic safety problems; she said she "vehemently oppose[d]" the center. Jeffrey Stafford, who said he teaches at Rex Bell Elementary and lives nearby, said the school and school bus stop are less than half a mile from the site and the center’s proximity to a school due to the planned conversion to a special-education campus raised concerns.

Christian Gates of the Department of Community Development presented the staff recommendation, saying staff determined the proposed outpatient use is "compatible and harmonious with the surrounding area" and recommended approval subject to the standard conditions in the staff report. Applicant Gary Jackson, owner of Better Days Recovery Center, described the operation as outpatient-only and repeatedly told commissioners that the clinic would not store or prescribe narcotics: "This is counseling only. We don't prescribe any medications. This is not a, like a methadone clinic. There's no drugs on hand." Jackson said the center would schedule appointments and limit client flow, maintain staff supervision during operating hours and outsource any testing.

Commissioners asked specifics about daily volumes and hours; Jackson said the facility would see "between 8 and 10 patients a day" and operate "from 8AM to 6PM." Commissioners noted that similar counseling agencies operate across the city and that staff had recommended conditions; a commissioner moved to approve the special-use permit subject to staff conditions and the motion carried. The item is scheduled to be heard by the City Council on Aug. 19, 2026 for final action.

The approval leaves open standard appeal and permit requirements. The commission’s action does not authorize any residential or overnight treatment; the applicant said the facility will be outpatient counseling, relapse-prevention education, DUI counseling and related services and will comply with licensing and city regulations.