LYNNWOOD — Months following a controversial opioid cure centre opened following to the Alderwood Boys and Girls Club, the Lynnwood City Council has handed an crisis moratorium halting any very similar facilities for 6 months.
The ordinance authorized Monday pauses allow processing for new dependancy therapy facilities. It comes four months after the controversial Acadia opioid treatment method centre stirred public outcry. The ordinance passed 5-1 with City Council member Shirley Sutton voting no. Council member Josh Binda was absent.
A few days in advance of the “emergency” meeting, David Kleitsch, the city’s development and business enterprise services director, notified Mayor Christine Frizzell of an application for what could be a drug treatment middle.
Kleitsch had obtained an software for a “business tenant improvement” that would be employed as a clinic. Immediately after even further digging, team uncovered the applicant, which was not named at the assembly, supplies “substance use ailment cure programs supplying outpatient medication assisted procedure by using medication, counseling and group based mostly services.”
Personnel also discovered “opioid addiction cure centers are precisely mentioned on this company’s website,” in accordance to the mayor.
Frizzell explained it was “imperative” to deliver the challenge ahead of the council, as the city is currently examining code to have additional regulate about where addiction therapy centers pop up.
In January, protesters gathered for weeks and dozens showed up to council conferences, pushing back again from the Acadia Health care centre at 2322 196th St. SW. A public hearing experienced been held for the duration of the wintertime vacations when lots of were being unavailable to voice considerations, and Town Council users reported they have been kept in the darkish about its opening.
Quite a few Town Council associates spoke out towards the site of the Acadia Healthcare center.
The center opened Jan. 30.
Council member Jim Smith mentioned the council felt “blindsided” by Acadia Healthcare in January, and this moratorium gives town leaders time to “roll up our sleeves” and take into account possibilities just before it’s also late.
“Our encounter the first time — with the lack of interaction amongst the facility and us — that was really regarding,” Council President Shannon Periods explained. “Hopefully, (the moratorium) will also give this enterprise the prospect to connect adequately with us as effectively.”
Inside of the subsequent 60 days, the City Council strategies to keep a public listening to, but the moratorium went into impact straight away.
Council member George Hurst expressed problems about the size of the moratorium, but according to the town attorney, council customers can change it as they desire.
“We figured out a good deal as a result of the course of action of siting Acadia, and we actually do know that there requires to be local community outreach,” Hurst claimed. “I assume we could be proactive right here and now.”
Kayla J. Dunn: 425-339-3449 [email protected] Twitter: @KaylaJ_Dunn.