HomeMy WebLinkAbout1000-45.-2-10.3THUILSDAY, .IULY 29, 1993
Zone Change
Asked For
i Drug Center
SOUTHOLD -- The principals of
a proposed drug recovery center ask-
ed the Town Board Tuesday to amend
the zoning code to clear the way to
establish a 40-bed inpatient facility
here.
In an exclusive interview last month
with the Traveler-Watchman, Jack
Hamilton of the Long Island Center
for Recovery, outlined a plan to create
a drug and alcohol medically-
supervised assistance facility.
But the town code excludes "all
type of drug facilities," said ToWn At-
torney Harvey Arnoff, who invited
Hamiltofi and his partner Steve
Bassis, to discuss the proposal with
the board. Arnoff said the code was
drafted at a time when "drug addic-
tion treatment had a horrific
connotation.
"The fact is, these individuals are
stymied;' Arnoff told the board.
"This is 1993 not 1953:'
Patients entering the 14- to 28-day
treatment center to be backed by
private investors, would have
undergone detoxificafion in hospitals
and programs elsewhere. Bassis said
the center could work in conjunction
with Eastern Long Island Hospital,
wihcih could provide drug detoxifica-
tion to clients plus after-care
assistanc~
The center had been interested in
purchasing the former San Simeon
Retirement Community proper~y in
Greenport and convert the eight hous-
ing units into a recovery complex. But
Richard Mohring Enterprises bought
the panel last month, and Hamilton
and Bassis are negotiating with
Mohring to buy the eight units.
"If e~3erythlng is kosher, that may
work out~' said Richard Mohring Sr.
"It's an out-of-the-way-spot that
wouldn't bother anybody?.'
But before that could happen, the
town would have to modify the code
to allow such facilities in certain
districts, or by a special exception per-
mit from the town's Appeals Bo~trd.
Reaction from board members has
been mixed. Councilman George pen-
ny said the board must decide "if it
wants this, and if so, where. "What
is the ultimate benefit to the town?"
said Penny, adding that an estimated
25 jobs created from the center would
also factor into the board's decision.
Councilman Thomas Wickham
said he was prepared to lift the ban
on drug facilities, and Councilman
Raymond Edwards said, "I'll second
it."
Councilwoman Alice Hussie said
she would like specific information
about how the program works, par-
tlcularly since this would be the first
of its kind on Long Island.
And Supervisor Scott Harris told
Bassis and Hamilton that the board
"will deliberate" on their req.uest.
Even if the board wanted to change
the code and initiated the review pro-
cess today, said Assistant Town At~
torney Matthew Kiernan, it would
take about a year to enact the change
and provide site plan approval.
The town's zoning code would not
likely withstand a court challenge,
said Hamilton, observing that the
courts have deemed it unconstitu-
tional to exclude special-needs
facilities. But Hamilton said he
prefers to pursue an amicable solution
with the town to allc,w it to make the
necessary change to accommodate
substance abuse facilities.
--Lydia Tortora
SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHABILITATION
P.O. BOX 761
AQUEBOGUE, N.Y. 11931
(516) 369-3776
5/12/93
Richard Ward
Southold town planning
53095 main ~Oad
Southold, N.Y. 11971
board
Dear Mr. Ward,
The Long Island Center For Recovery Inc. is perposing to open
a drug free, short term, in patient treatment facility for
substance abuse in the town of Southold.
We have met with Jim McMahon, Vanesha McKeegan, and Bob
Kassner, and so far the response to our prodject has been very
positive.
Mr, Kassner advised us that our next step would be to
write you and ask that you begin whatever process is necessary
in order for us to open our facility in Southold.
We believe our facility will be benificial to the town
and are looking forward to your response and to working with
you to make the Long Island Center For Recovery a reality.
yours ~ruly, J. /
Steven D. Bassis
LDA/SB
LASER FICHE FORM
Planning Board Site Plans and Amended Site Plans
- -- ive
P~~- ~ndC :nter f,r Recove --
Address: -.e/s/o Chapel Lane. GreenDort
Hamlet; Greenport
Applicant Name: Steven Bassis, L.I. Center for Recovery, Inc.
Owner Name: Richard MohrinR Enterprises
Zone 1:
Approval Date:
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
End SP Date:
Zone 2:
Local'mn:
SC Filing Date:
C and R'S:
Home Assoc:
R and M ARrccment:
A date indicate~ that we haw received the mlat~cl Infon~on
Zone 3:
SCAN Da~:
SCANNED
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