Clinic for addicts worries residents

In New Castle, there was widespread opposition to a methadone clinic from
residents and businesses.

By MARY GRZEBIENIAK

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The possible location of a methadone clinic in the former B.J. Byrider building on U.S. Route 224 here has residents concerned.

Three residents of the residential area adjacent to the commercial section asked Union Township supervisors at their meeting Thursday to safeguard their neighborhood if the clinic comes in.

Supervisor Chairman Pat Angiolelli told the residents that courts have upheld the right of such clinics to locate in communities, but he said the township will ensure that there is a buffer zone between the clinic and residential neighborhoods. He added that the township will monitor the clinic “quite stringently” if it goes in.

To that end, trustees passed a motion Thursday directing the township’s planning and zoning board to evaluate the possibility of changing some permitted uses in central commercial zoning districts to conditional uses, which would require a hearing.

The city of New Castle recently rejected a request from Freedom Healthcare Service to operate a methadone clinic after widespread opposition from residents and businesses. Angiolelli said he does not know the name of the clinic or whether it is the same one that was rejected in New Castle.

Angiolelli said after the meeting that the current zoning ordinance would permit methadone clinics in a central commercial district — such as Route 224 — since medical clinics are allowed there. He said trustees want to make sure that some stipulations are in place to require such a clinic to meet certain conditions. He added that the township wants to make sure that similar-type businesses are grouped together.

Angiolelli said that no representative of a methadone clinic has contacted trustees but said someone has spoken to township Zoning Officer Linda Farris in connection with a clinic. Methadone is used to help people withdraw from heroin.

Diane Gabriel of Matthews Way, one of the residential areas near the vacant Byrider building, said that residents only became aware of the possible methadone clinic in the last five days. “We heard it is a done deal,” she said.

She said residents want supervisors to check with other communities that have such clinics to determine how best to protect residential neighborhoods.

Gabriel said after the meeting that Matthews Way is part of a residential district of about 75 homes. That district would be buffered from the clinic only by Route 224 and commercial frontage on the south side of the road.

Herta Pidro, another Matthews Way resident, said she is concerned that such a clinic would be located near the Butler County Community College satellite location which is under construction near the clinic site, as well as a day-care facility which will be included at the college.