" The City Council, after fielding public comments for more than an hour, unanimously voted to approve a conditional-use permit for The Ark of Eagle Mountain, a sister facility to The Ark of Little Cottonwood. Both cater to professionals recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.
The council had tabled the proposal in March, insisting that Boberg provide a detailed landscaping plan for the home.
But council members were clear that putting it in a residential neighborhood in this northwestern Utah County city was not their idea. Instead, they said it was a decision forced on them by federal law and court decisions that protect the rights of the disabled.
"I firmly believe that this is a horrible decision," said Councilman Nathan Ochsenhirt, adding that he hoped The Ark would be a "blessing to this community, and not a damnation." Like the rest of his colleagues, Ochsenhirt said he had nothing against treatment centers for addicts; he just thought Eagle Mountain was the wrong place for them.
Councilman David Lifferth said Eagle Mountain is a 45-minute ride from American Fork Hospital -- under ideal traffic conditions. That could prove deadly, Lifferth said, if one of Boberg's clients attempts suicide.
"I think it is negligence on your part to position your place so far from needed medical care," Lifferth said.
Boberg, The Ark's executive director, said Lifferth overlooked the fact that Intermountain Healthcare is building a medical facility in the city.
As for the choice of Eagle Mountain, she said it is a place where her clients will be surrounded by natural beauty as they put their lives back in order.
"As I told them before, why not Eagle Mountain?" Boberg said.
Many of the residents who spoke had reasons for wanting it to go elsewhere.
"I don't think any of us here in the neighborhood are opposed to people getting help, said Jorge Sagastume. "But in our neighborhood, you cannot run a business out of your home."" -SL Trib
Showing posts with label drug rehab. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drug rehab. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Eagle Mtn. Drug Rehab Home Commentary
"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." Salt Lake Tribune
I love how our city council can't just say they don't want this type of business in our community.
Instead, it sounds like they're making excuses such as landscape plans to further delay issuing a permit for this drug rehab home.
If you're not for it, just say it.
As for future business in Eagle Mountain, I wonder how that grocery store is coming along?
I love how our city council can't just say they don't want this type of business in our community.
Instead, it sounds like they're making excuses such as landscape plans to further delay issuing a permit for this drug rehab home.
If you're not for it, just say it.
As for future business in Eagle Mountain, I wonder how that grocery store is coming along?
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
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
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Proposed Eagle Mtn. Drug Rehab Group Home Delayed
" Eagle Mountain » The City Council wants more time to decide if it will let a group home for professionals recovering from substance abuse operate here.
The council voted Tuesday to table the Ark for Eagle Mountain's application until April 7. Councilmen Ryan Ireland and David Lifferth said they want more information, such as a detailed site plan showing landscaping and parking, as well as information on relapse rates from the Ark's other facilities in Utah.
But Gloria Boberg, the Ark's executive director, isn't happy about waiting even longer.
"It's just petty crap," Boberg said after the council meeting. She said the council could have approved the permit and required her to bring in the detailed plan later.
Boberg, who applied for a conditional use permit in November, accused the council of dragging its feet to appease neighbors who view the home as a threat." - Salt Lake Tribune
The council voted Tuesday to table the Ark for Eagle Mountain's application until April 7. Councilmen Ryan Ireland and David Lifferth said they want more information, such as a detailed site plan showing landscaping and parking, as well as information on relapse rates from the Ark's other facilities in Utah.
But Gloria Boberg, the Ark's executive director, isn't happy about waiting even longer.
"It's just petty crap," Boberg said after the council meeting. She said the council could have approved the permit and required her to bring in the detailed plan later.
Boberg, who applied for a conditional use permit in November, accused the council of dragging its feet to appease neighbors who view the home as a threat." - Salt Lake Tribune
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
They Tried to Make Eagle Mountain Go to Rehab
They tried to make Eagle Mountain go to rehab, but they said, NO NO NO!
Well not really, but when the idea of having the "Arc of Little Cottonwood" group provide a drug rehab home for those trying to kick their substance abuse problems, residents of Eagle Mountain said, thanks, but no thanks.
Currently there is one of these facilities next to an elementary school in Sandy.
My opinion is everyone agrees that we need places for people like this, but when these types of places want to come to your neighborhood it's always a "not in my neighborhood" kind of mentality.
It is similar to a person who builds his house with his backyard facing a golf course, then complains because golf balls hit his house. You knew the golf course was there when you built and even if it was wasn't, you knew that empty field behind your house had to be something someday.
It's fine to voice concern with facilities like this wanting to be in your neighborhood, but hear them out. Let them explain their setup. For goodness sakes, show a little compassion for people that have problems looking to get help. Especially here in Utah County where studies have shown prescription drug abuse reigns. Who knows, a drug rehab home may not be such a bad thing after all.
Well not really, but when the idea of having the "Arc of Little Cottonwood" group provide a drug rehab home for those trying to kick their substance abuse problems, residents of Eagle Mountain said, thanks, but no thanks.
Currently there is one of these facilities next to an elementary school in Sandy.
My opinion is everyone agrees that we need places for people like this, but when these types of places want to come to your neighborhood it's always a "not in my neighborhood" kind of mentality.
It is similar to a person who builds his house with his backyard facing a golf course, then complains because golf balls hit his house. You knew the golf course was there when you built and even if it was wasn't, you knew that empty field behind your house had to be something someday.
It's fine to voice concern with facilities like this wanting to be in your neighborhood, but hear them out. Let them explain their setup. For goodness sakes, show a little compassion for people that have problems looking to get help. Especially here in Utah County where studies have shown prescription drug abuse reigns. Who knows, a drug rehab home may not be such a bad thing after all.
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