A plan to build a proposed substance abuse treatment facility by Stanley Street Treatment and Resource officials in the north end of Fall River continues to be hit by controversy.
According to recent reports, the city’s zoning regulations indicate that the plan to build the facility at a fire-ravaged mill site on Weaver Street, could run into zoning regulation roadblocks. Those reports indicate that a variance would have to be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals before construction could begin.
According to the ordinance that controls zoning regulations, the land which SSTAR CEO Nancy Paull recently purchased to build the 30 bed treatment facility, is the site of the Borden City Mill No. 3 complex, which is zoned as a commercial mill district. In that same ordinance, hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent, rest homes, medical and dental centers, or clinics including laboratories are categorized under general residence or medical districts.
Paull told FRC Media News recently that she was informed her facility is considered “acceptable use,” adding that she understands there may be roadblocks, but plans to overcome them.
“I still have to raise around $ five million dollars to even start construction on the project,” she says. “That may take as little as three, or as much as five years, to raise. I am determined to get to my goal of helping as many substance abusers as possible despite any bumps in the road.”
Despite opposition to the proposed plan, by State Representative Carole Fiola, City Councilor Stephen Long, and north end residents, Paull plans to work through any problems.
“We have a major opioiod and alcohol substance abuse problem in this city, and the proposed facility is a must-have for the health and well being of people suffering from addiction,” she says.
Meanwhile, State Rep Carole Fiola thinks that two facilities in the city is one too many, and that other communities in the Commonwealth should build treatment centers in their own back yards to help ease the common burden.
Comments are closed.