Pubdate: Fri, 11 Sep 2009
Source: Burlington Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009 Burlington Post
Contact:  http://www.burlingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1528
Author: Jason Misner

HEALTH CLINIC'S SITE PLAN UNDER COUNCIL REVIEW

Planning Staff Reporting To Oct. 5 Committee Meeting

City council's decision to review the site plan of a controversial 
pain management and dependency clinic in Aldershot may delay the 
health centre's fall opening.

Politicians approved at Tuesday's city council meeting a motion from 
Councillor Rick Craven that gives the city's community development 
committee meeting of Monday, Oct. 5 responsibility to approve the 
site plan for Wellbeings.

A spokesperson for the controversial clinic remains confident the 
site plan submitted last month will be approved, paving the way for a 
late October opening as originally planned.

The business, located just west of Maplehurst Public School and 
co-owned by well-known businessperson Peggi DeGroote, will include 
methadone treatment as one element of its operation.

Too close to school: residents

Parents of children who attend Maplehurst, nearby residents and 
business owners are upset the clinic is located so close to a school. 
Many have expressed fear about the kind of clinic clientele students 
might be exposed to.

Normally, city staff approve site plans, which in the case of 
Wellbeings addressed two key components - parking and landscaping.

City Planning and Building Director Bruce Krushelnicki told the Post 
his department was in the middle of completing what he described as a 
"pretty straight forward" site plan application for Wellbeings, but 
will now bring a report to the community development committee 
meeting on Oct. 5 for councillors' consideration.

Krushelnicki said site plans do not address uses of the site in 
question and reiterated the clinic is allowed to operate on the 
property given its zoning compliance. The property in question is 
zoned to permit medical uses.

If the committee rejects the site plan, Wellbeings could appeal to 
the Ontario Municipal Board, (OMB) the planning director said. A 
hearing could take 3-4 months and a ruling may take as long as five 
weeks after the hearing concludes.

"The purpose of site plan and building permit applications is not to 
create delay, it's to ensure that public interests are protected," he said.

Kim Paumier, clinic director and community liaison for Wellbeings, 
said this week she's "disappointed" with council's motions but the 
business plans to open its doors at what is currently an empty 
building. Officials look forward to educating people on the clinic's 
purpose, Paumier said.

"This has not changed our outlook on the clinic at all; it hasn't 
lessened our drive to have the clinic where it is and to open (it) as 
quickly as we can," she said. "Whatever needs to be done we're 
willing to do that."

Craven, who represents the neighbourhood on council, said he put his 
motion on the table because he wants to give residents more time to 
speak to what has become a very sensitive issue. He said it's not a 
delaying tactic.

"My purpose in putting forward this motion was to create more 
opportunities for community dialogue," he said, adding the public 
will have a chance to speak to the issue on Oct. 5 and at the city 
council meeting on Oct. 19.

"What I've urged Mrs. DeGroote to do is share more information with 
the public as soon as possible."

The councillor acknowledged DeGroote's option to go to the OMB if 
council turns down the site plan.

Preferring that DeGroote relocate her clinic, Craven said he asked 
her on Sunday about choosing a new site and was told she would not 
change her application.

"Clearly, my constituents do not (like the location) and it's my job 
to represent them," he said, noting he's received 100 e-mails for and 
against the clinic.

Mayor Cam Jackson said the location of the proposed clinic is the key issue.

He said had he known about the clinic possibility, he would have 
"worked pro-actively" with the owners and suggested they don't locate 
near a school.

"There's a principle here that we need to have an early-warning 
system on these kinds of issues," he said. "No one is saying this 
health facility shouldn't exist."

In addition to Craven's motion, council also approved two Jackson 
motions. One was for the city solicitor to report to the Sept. 16 
committee meeting on "bylaws and other means to regulate methadone 
dispensing, and needle exchange and safe injection sites."

The other is the director of planning and building report to council 
on "best practices and develop a protocol which includes a public 
consultation process for approving applications that involve 
methadone dispensing, and needle exchange and safe injection sites."

Jackson said city legal staff will be looking at bylaws in Oshawa 
dealing with clinics that dispense methadone.

"My intention is to get a proper bylaw in place as quickly as 
possible should there be a second methadone clinic application," he 
said, explaining the city created an adult entertainment bylaw that 
states where such establishments can locate.

Asked if these motions are meant to stall the process, Jackson said: 
"I'm trying to do my job as mayor."

Paumier said she's not concerned about the city possibly creating a 
bylaw that would restrict a clinic on their Plains Road East site.

"Our application has already been filed with the city," she said. 
"What needs to be understood is the law, in this case, is on our side."

DeGroote said last month her clinic has "nothing to hide" and is 
trying to fill a community need when it comes to chronic pain issues 
and chemical dependency.

The vast majority - 98 to 99 per cent - of clients accessing services 
would be people dependent on prescription drugs like OxyContin or 
Percocet, DeGroote said.

Methadone is one of the treatment options to be decided between the 
doctor and the patient, she said.

The clinic has been a contentious one for many in Aldershot.

A protest held outside the future clinic site on Tuesday morning 
attracted about 30 people. A neighbourhood meeting last Saturday - 
attended by DeGroote - drew close to 200.

Another public meeting to discuss the clinic will be held at LaSalle 
Park Pavilion (50 North Shore Blvd.) on Monday, Sept. 21 at 7 p. m.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart