Commission forwards zoning rules to allow licensed residential addiction treatment facilities with conditions

Development Director Steve Neilson presented TEXT-3119, a proposed amendment to allow Residential Addiction Treatment Facilities (licensed inpatient programs providing medical/non-medical therapeutic care, including medical detox) as a Use on Review in the Office, Medical and Professional (OMP) district. Neilson framed the change as a response to a growing local need and cited recent overdose statistics for Tennessee.

"Since 2005, Tennessee's drug overdose deaths have tripled. In 2022, Tennessee experienced 56.6 deaths per 100,000 population which is almost double the national rate of 32.4 deaths. Hamblen County was ranked 19th in the State with 53.7 deaths per 100,000 population," Steve Neilson said, using state-level data to contextualize the local need.

Staff recommended allowing Residential Addiction Treatment Facilities as a Use on Review in OMP, subject to requirements: full licensing/certification by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; written documentation of hours and staffing; a minimum of two staff on-site at all times; a locally designated 24/7 contact whose name and telephone number must be posted on the building exterior; parking equal to one off-street space per employee on the largest shift plus three visitor spaces; and maximum occupancy determined by a licensed architect and the Chief Building Official. No Use on Review would be required for facilities with eight or fewer patients (those would remain classified as Group Homes). Commissioner Alpha Alexander moved to approve forwarding the amendment to City Council with the listed conditions; Vice-Chairman Jack Kennerly seconded and the vote was 9–0.

The commission forwarded the amendment to City Council for ordinance drafting and public hearing.