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
Email: khosh@freelancestar.com