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Concerns arise about Austintown hotel-rehab facility
By Justin Wier
AUSTINTOWN
In response to a concerned community member, township officials said they will be watching closely as owner Sebastian Rucci attempts to convert the Calfornia Palms Hotel into a rehab facility.
Lola Simmons, who lives near the property, voiced concerns about the development at Monday night’s meeting of the township board of trustees.
“I believe in rehab, and I believe in giving people second and third chances,” Simmons said. “But relapse is a part of recovery, and I’m worried about safety.”
Board chairman Rick Stauffer said that as long is zoning is in order, the facility does not require formal approval by the board.
The property is zoned B2. Zoning inspector Darren Crivelli said the proposed facility would be permitted under that business designation.
Still, he said he wished Rucci would have reached out.
“It seemed like he did a press release before he touched base with [the township],” Crivelli said.
Township police Chief Bob Gavalier sits on the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board, and he said the organization is “very concerned.”
Fire Chief Andrew Frost also expressed concerns. He said the department has made Rucci aware of what needs to be done before the facility can open. He said the fire department is limited in what it can do, but will make sure to exercise what power it does have.
While noting that it’s premature given that community concerns are based on rumor at this point, Trustee Ken Carano said the board will not ignore the development.
Rucci said he did reach out to the trustees but acknowledged that he could have communicated better with the zoning department. He said he’s been in touch with the fire chief and the facility will have security measures similar to those that were in place with the hotel.
“If we handled 250 people who are drinking, we can handle 250 people who are sober and monitored,” Rucci said.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, Gavalier announced that the police department has obtained $569,000 in grant funding. A $9,000 grant will allow the department to replace equipment in a cruiser, and two $280,000 grants will allow the department to hire a new officer and pay for an existing officer over the next three years.
The board also approved a per-capita fee to fund the county Hazmat team. It is expected to cost $3,900 per year. Frost said it would cost the township between $80,000 and $90,000 to have its own team.