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Supervisors reject a Poplar Road farm to house a drug- and alcohol-recovery program and postpone creation of Potomac Overlay District for five months Date published: 6/5/2008
BY KAFIA HOSH
Stafford County supervisors have rejected a request for a Poplar Road farm to house a drug- and alcohol-recovery program. Teen Challenge of Fredericksburg Inc. applied for a conditional-use permit to run the facility on 8.4 acres zoned for agricultural use. But, after a brief discussion Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 to deny the request. Supervisors Paul Milde and Mark Dudenhefer cast the dissenting votes. The proposal called for the facility to house men ages 18 to 25 who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. As many as 17 residents, including Teen Challenge staff, would live in the five-bedroom home and in a separate, smaller home that would include administrative offices. Supervisors were concerned the center could be too intense for the mostly residential and agricultural area in southern Stafford. "In the end, this is a considerable number of people that we're putting into the site," Supervisor Cord Sterling said. The planning and zoning staff had recommended approval of the center, which would have upgraded its septic system as it phased in more participants. "If you're going to put a cap, it should be reasonable and maximum-based," said Michael Coughlin, a land-use attorney representing Teen Challenge. Teen Challenge is a nonprofit, faith-based recovery program. Participants are not placed in the facility as a result of court order or while on parole. Sex offenders and violent offenders are not permitted, and participants are not allowed to have drugs in their systems during their stay. The Rev. Michael Zello, executive director of Teen Challenge, said the request met all necessary requirements, and supervisors had no justifiable reason to deny the permit. "I'm extremely disappointed with the supervisors, especially since they went against their own county staff's recommendation," Zello said in a later interview. "There was no explanation given. It was a quick vote, in a matter of seconds." Supervisors first considered the permit request during a lengthy public hearing last month. At that hearing, Teen Challenge graduates gave testimonials about the program's success and other supporters touted its benefits. Dozens of neighbors, however, expressed their discomfort, saying they were worried the center would ruin the area's agricultural aesthetic. The board postponed its decision so it could research federal statutes that regulate equitable housing and land use. Coughlin argued that supervisors violated the Fair Housing Act by denying the permit. He said Teen Challenge has the options of challenging the ruling in court, as well as notifying the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Zello plans to meet with his attorneys next week. He said he has not made a decision on Teen Challenge's next course of action. "We're not giving up on this project," he said. "We're not giving up on the farm." Kafia Hosh: 540/735-1977
Please read my blog entitled "Investigating Teen Challenge" at http://teenchallengecult.blogspot.com/ My latest post is entitled "An In-Depth Series on Abuse at Teen Challenge" and is for those of you who prefer to investigate Teen Challenge so you can make an informed decision before you send a loved one to Teen Challenge!
Part 1: Teen Challenge: The Assemblies' Own "Kiddie Gulag"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/26/17250/8747/930/503496
Part 2: Teen Challenge: Coercive Groups Disguised as Rehab
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/27/171937/973
Part 3: Teen Challenge: A Typical Week in the "Jesus Gulag"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/28/17428/8172/453/503981
Part 4: Teen Challenge: Life Within the "Jesus Gulag"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/29/165243/571/427/504015
Part 5: Teen Challenge: Possib
They'll find a place. This just wasn't the best one from them.
Stafford County has had months to debate this decision and made sure every angle, wrinkle and law was not violated... Dosent take a month for BOS members to cast a vote! Lets vote quickly to house them next to you!
obviously the ones upset this was turned down, do not have to worry about adult males from 17-25 yrs old with issues living on thier door step! In alomost every Teen Challenge testimonial I have heard the individual replapses every single time! So 1 must ask how good this program really is? This just an investment. This area is not zoned for this, nor will there be adiquate supervison, it would make all neighbors at risk & property at risk and worthless- Take it to the city.
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