~courtesy of The Scranton Journal
The Scranton zoning board of adjustment turned down a request for a change in zoning to allow a former residential property to be utilized as a detox facility.
The zoning board consists of LeRoy Reineke, Dave Dideriksen, Ethel Subbert and Cindy Boyd. The board met Sept. 21 to hear a presentation by Megan Ball of Midwest Behavioral Health LLC with two other men on a phone conference.
The firm proposes to use the home at 603 Irving St as a detox residential home. It would be overseen by medically licensed and certified staff 24 hours a day. The plan is to treat the person as a whole and to help with treatment / rehabilitation back into society while in a family atmosphere. The treatment usually takes six to nine months.
The maximum at the center would be eight people with both men and women accepted into the program. The company is working with Medicaid and non-profit organizations to assist with payment.
This is voluntary treatment and will meet all state requirements.
The company told the zoning board they hoped to be up and running by the end of the year.
A public hearing was held by the zoning board on Oct. 18. An open forum was held with many questions asked and answers provided.
Ball commented (according to the minutes of the meeting) that she is very passionate about their clients. The goal is not only substance abuse counseling and treatment, but resources for the clients to get further education and/or employment which will allow them to re-enter their community.
Ball stated the hope was to get the business opened by the beginning of 2022.
However, by a vote of the board of adjustments, the amendment from single family residential property was not approved.
