Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Eagle Mtn. Drug Rehab Home Update

" Gloria Boberg said the state has given her proposed group home in Eagle Mountain preliminary approval.

Now Boberg, executive director of The Ark of Little Cottonwood, just wants the city to move ahead and give her the conditional-use permit she needs to open her doors to professionals and veterans recovering from substance abuse.

"We're at a standstill waiting," Boberg said of her plans for The Ark of Eagle Mountain. She also operates a substance abuse treatment center in Sandy.

Ken Stettler, director of the state human services department's office of licensing, said inspectors did an on-site review looking at safety issues and other aspects of the program. But the final license will be issued when the city issues its permit.

Steve Mumford, the city's planning director, said the city is waiting too -- for plans showing how landscaping would be used to screen parking areas at the house.

"We're waiting in limbo," Mumford said.

At the March 17 meeting, the City Council tabled the application. Council members asked Boberg to provide a professionally drafted landscape plan -- she had submitted a sketch made on a computer -- before it grants approval.

The action came as residents claimed the group home would pose a threat to public safety and would lower property values.

Boberg said earlier that the council appeared to be dragging its feet to appease the neighbors.

But Mumford said the city is not asking Boberg to do anything it wouldn't ask any other business applicant.

Boberg said she was going to meet with a landscaper today and have the plans ready for the city before the April 7 meeting." -Salt Lake Tribune

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