11-14-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Laguna Beach Local News Rehab House Owner Tries to Quell Concerns - Laguna Beach ... Page 2 of 14 the meeting with city and police officials to inform con cenied parents and others about laws that rest nct the city from regulating state licensed recovery houses Police provided a list to participants of the handful of calls for police service received from two recovery facilities that are the focus of concern Pillars Recovery owner Lisa Willis said she understands curiosity about the facility, but that fears are overblown in pan because people seem uninformed about the levels of care provided at the facility She said the six residents are monitored around the clock antl participate in groups from 7 a m to 10 p on at night They have no cars, visitors and their place of residence is confidential 'The people in that house are at the height of awareness, they've done everything right." Willis said. "We want it run well It makes everyone's life easier We don't want to call 911.' Willis said Since the facility opened, police have received three calls for service, two patrol checks and a medical aid, which involved neither a drug overdose nor violence. according to police Detective Cornelius Ashton Pillars Director Lisa Friedman, who diagnoses and evaluates potential patients, was asked if she would accept a sex offender. Friedman said she would not and would refer them to a facility better skilled to meet their needs Despite the apparent neighborhood backlash to Pillars Recovery. Willis said she is not considering moving Thirteen licensed non-medical alcoholism and drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities operate in Laguna Beachaccording to a January status report by the stale Department of Health Care Service 1 wo more are m process.. according to Ann Larson. the city's assistant director of community development AI the meeting, Larson described the variations among recovery racilibes, which operate under different regulations and are licensed by different authorities In general, residential care facilities are subject to state regulations and licensing, which preempts local regulations by cities Deputy City Attorney Alit Thind laid out slate and federal statutes, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, and their protections for group homes that provide treatment for the disabled They also apply to group homes for recovering drug and alcohol addicts 'As to the unlicensed facilities. they are still afforded protection by ADA as well as fair housing laws But if they are engaging in nuisance like activities, the city can enforce and they can do so by administrative citation At this point we haven't gotten to this point with any facility," Thind said Federal laws were enacted to promote the integration of individuals with disabilities into the conrnwnity and to prohibit discrimination against them Ashlon urged participants to play a role in documenting crime m thea neighborhood "You are our eyes and ears Contact the police not just about the facilities, but anything that makes you uncomfortable." Ashta , said who noted that "Top of the World is adaaliy one Of the safest areas in our city." The principal said TOW school has not experienced any incidents related to Pillars Recovery. "Of course I wouldn't want it to be as close to the school as it is," said Conlon, indicating that school district officials intend to push for a legislative remedy to restrict recovery houses near schools The two facilities that were the focus of concerns have been inspected by city code enforcement officers and are in compliance with their state licensing requirements, Larson said The number of soher living group homes in Laguna is not known because there is no licensing requirement by either the city or the state http://www.lagunabeachindy.com/rehab-house-owner-tries-to-quell-concerns/ 2/10/2016