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Clarksville BZA tables proposed addiction therapy center at Return Church after community concerns over proximity to Saint Anthony School
Summary
After nearly two hours of testimony from neighbors, church leaders, school officials and recovery participants, the board voted to table a use-variance for an intensive outpatient program at Return Church (435 Eastern Blvd.). Opponents cited proximity to Saint Anthony preschool/elementary (under 1,000 feet) and argued the petition did not satisfy the six legal elements for a use variance; applicants agreed to conduct outreach and return with responses.
The Clarksville Board of Zoning Appeals voted Sept. 24 to table V250009, a use-variance petition from Milan Recovery/Align Recovery to operate an intensive outpatient (IOP) addiction therapy program at Return Church, 435 Eastern Boulevard. The tabling followed extended public comment that split along lines of lived experience and neighborhood concern.
Planning staff (speaker 4) opened the item with a detailed staff report describing the proposed operation: weekdays 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., no overnight stays, counseling and group/individual sessions rather than medical detox, and an expected operating census the applicants estimated at 40–80 people (they later acknowledged the realistic range could be 20–100). Staff also noted the site is zoned Eastern Boulevard Corridor (EBCZ), where outpatient treatment (LBCS code 6512) and addiction counseling (6560) are generally not permitted. Staff concluded the report did not support the affirmative findings required for a use variance.
Representatives Brad Keith (speaker 9) and Nick Perkins (speaker 10) presented the applicant narrative and described experience operating community-based recovery programs. Perkins, who identified himself as a person in long-term recovery and a parent, said: "This isn't a rehab or a shelter. It's a structured outpatient program." The applicants said clients would mostly be transported by van, that sessions would be supervised, and that no overnight housing or medication distribution would occur on-site.
Multiple speakers from Saint Anthony parish and school testified in opposition. Friar John Grama (speaker 16) urged the board to deny the variance because the proposed center sits within walking distance of the parish preschool and elementary school, saying the proximity "would go against that very principle" of keeping sensitive uses separate. School principal Stephanie Shecker (speaker 17) described about 253 students and roughly 35 faculty and staff on the campus and said children walk near the proposed site; other speakers worried about traffic, visibility and potential impacts on enrollment and neighborhood stability.
Community members with lived experience and recovery advocates also spoke in favor; Councilman Bob Stotts (speaker 12) and others told the board they have seen benefits from similar programs and urged a chance for the petitioners to operate. Attorney/stakeholders (speaker 18) asked the board to hold applicants to the six legal standards for a use variance (as cited in the hearing record) and concluded many elements were not met.
During board questioning applicants discussed staffing ratios (applicants suggested roughly one therapist per 10–15 clients as census grows), supervision plans, van transport and scheduling to avoid school peak times. Staff clarified that the town had performed required legal notice (mail to adjoining owners and publication) but several board members and residents said additional community outreach would be appropriate. The Chair made a motion to table the petition so applicants could address the staff elements and conduct outreach; the board voted to table V250009 and the item will be placed under old business at the Oct. 22 BZA meeting.
