Trustees reject proposed treatment facility

The decision came after dozens of resident statements were heard

A decision regarding the use of the facility at 382 Blackbrook Road in Painesville Township was made June 12 at a contentious public hearing.

The trustees unanimously rejected the similar use petition submitted by North East Ohio Health Services dba Connections, for the proposed use to operate a licensed residential treatment facility intended to treat adults diagnosed with chemical dependency with a focus on opiate addiction treatment.

Trustee Chuck Hillier said the board spent a great deal of time trying to understand both sides of the issue.

“This was a tough decision,”

he said. “We did the best we could.”

The trustees decision came after hearing dozens of statements from residents and business owners in favor and against the proposed facility.

Signature Health CEO Jonathan Lee spoke on behalf of North East Ohio

Health Services.

Lee explained that Signature Health previously applied for a conditional use permit that the BZA (Board of Zoning Appeals) denied. While North East Ohio Health Services and Signature Health have similar missions, he emphasized that they are two separate

organizations. Therefore, North East Ohio Health Services submitted a new application for a Similar Use Declaration.

“What is different in comparison to the previous application is that we have discussed several different steps that we have included in the application to address some of the concerns raised by the other residents and business owners,” he said.

Those steps include heightened security measures and a transportation policy to ensure safety.

Lee stressed the importance of a treatment facility in Lake County stating that the organization received support from the State and the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board for this project.

Meanwhile, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy recently awarded a provisional dispensary license to 127 OH LLC for the same address that the treatment center was seeking.

Tom Christopher, the owner of the property, said while both medical uses are positive, he is in favor of a state-of-art/ highly secure substance abuse center.

“We got a problem and we have to figure out a

way to solve it,” Christopher said. “I don’t care about the money, I care about solving the problem.”

For that reason Christopher said he was ready to partner with Jonathan Lee and his group, because they have a great reputation for running secure and safe facilities that help people.

One resident, Scribe Martinez, said he was a former heroin addict and has been clean for four years, but it was a challenge due to limited treatment centers in the county.

Martinez said there needs to be more opportunities for people to get addiction treatment.

“If a person needs help, it needs to be available,” he said.

Other members from Northeast Ohio’s Fight Against Addiction shared personal struggles of losing loved ones from overdose and the need for a residential treatment facility in the community.

On the other hand, several people vocalized opposition. They also submitted signed petitions with over 70 signatures.

Those in opposition agreed that there is a need for a treatment facility, but said that location is not appropriate.

Resident Carol Hurst said having such a facility on Blackbrook Road will decrease area property values and pose safety concerns.

The trustees considered both arguments.

“We put a lot of time in this and we had a lot of sleepless nights, but that’s what I’m elected to do,” Hillier said. “You have to make decisions in the best interest of your community, what you perceive to be the best interest of your community and that’s how my vote was cast.”

While Lee was disappointed that the trustees rejected the proposal, he said that they will continue to search for a suitable location.

Christopher said the medical marijuana dispensary will now move forward.

“This was a trustee decision,” he said. “The trustees decided that in Painesville Township they believe that a medicinal marijuana distribution facility is in the best interest and not an opioid treatment center, and that’s fine. I understand the residents concerns, but I’m not going to have a tenant that causes problems on that street, period. We take a lot of pride in our properties.”