SPRINGDALE -- Development of a facility to treat juveniles with sexual behavior disorders* was approved Tuesday night in a Planning Commission meeting that saw detractors making one last public stand against it.
The commission voted 6-1 on Piney Ridge's development plan at 5060 E. Robinson Ave., during the 5 p.m. meeting at the City Administration Building. Commission Chairman Kevin Parsley voted against the request and Commissioner Roy Covert recused because he has family working for Piney Ridge.
The Vote
How the Springdale Planning Commission voted on Piney Ridge’s development application:
• Roy Covert: Recuse
• Vivi Haney: Yes
• Gary Compton: Yes
• Kevin Parsley: No
• Brian Powell: Yes
• Mitch Miller: Yes
• Bob Arthur: Yes
• Payton Parker: Yes
"This means they can move forward with doing [their] construction plans," said Patsy Christie, director of planning and community development. "They have to submit construction plans and engineering specifications, and all of that has to be approved through the Water Department, Health Department, Building Department and engineering before they can start construction."
Several community members stood up and railed against the development, including Lori Davis, a Habberton Road resident. Davis said she has a teen daughter and the possibility of Piney Ridge being within 200 feet of her home frightens her.
"This whole process has been a joke. How many times have we been told this is just a rezoning," Davis said. "I feel like we've been lied to through this whole process. You let us think this whole time that our concerns would be heard. That was just a lie. We feel betrayed."
Robin McDonald said a facility such as Piney Ridge shouldn't be in such close proximity to grade schools, including Turnbow Elementary School, and C.L. "Charlie" and Willie George Park.
"When do we even get a say? Does it mean anything that all of us are here and very adamantly opposed," McDonald said. "We're not opposed to this facility, [but] why here? I'm disillusioned and at a loss. Our kids go to school right there. When do we get to have any say so as to what goes into our neighborhood."
Jeanne Olson, a member of Alliance for Springdale Kids, was at the meeting and said an attorney has been hired by her group and will take action against the development. Olson said she's alarmed by a lack of details from Piney personnel about what security measures will be in the facility, as well as the possibility recreation areas will later be developed beyond the fenced-in confines of the facility.
The commission approved a code variance so Piney Ridge can install a 10-foot-tall fence around the facility instead of a maximum 8 feet.
Parsley said he voted against the development because of possible additions to the facility, such as the potential recreation areas beyond the fence.
"I understand those are speculations as far as future growth, but there are a lot of unknowns," Parsley said. "With a development like this, I would have expected the details to have been more complete than what they were."
The approved development doesn't authorize Piney Ridge to create recreation areas beyond the fenced land.
"They would have to submit a revised large scale [request] and go through the same review process [again]," Christie said
Piney Ridge has been a source of contention during several city meetings over the past few months, with many community members packing each meeting and opposing the potential facility. Other community members showed up at some meetings to push back against residents who oppose Piney Ridge.
Piney Ridge became a city issue during the Aug. 2 Planning Commission meeting. Community members learned a vote to rezone Sherry Farms from an agricultural district to a general commercial district was to be done at the meeting so Sherry Farms owners could sell the 32 acres to Acadia, which seeks to build Piney Ridge on the land.
After residents voiced outrage, the commission tabled the vote but approved it a month later at its Sept. 6 meeting.
The City Council gave approved the rezoning during its Sept. 27 meeting.
Those who opposed Piney Ridge refused to fall silent and took their fight to an Ordinance Committee meeting, questioning whether Piney Ridge meets the commercial district 2 zoning standard and whether a facility housing juvenile sex offenders can be near homes and schools.
City Attorney Ernest Cate said Piney Ridge falls under C-2 as a residential treatment facility. Piney Ridge is now at 2805 E. Zion Road in Fayetteville. Fayetteville classifies the hospital as an inpatient hospital, using Use Unit 4, permitted in C-2.
State law prevents Level 3 and Level 4 sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school, park or area where children frequent, but Piney Ridge and the Department of Human Services officials said no individuals who are registered sex offenders will be at Piney Ridge, Cate said.
State law also says a sexual rehabilitative program can't be within 1,000 feet of an elementary school, child care center or child care family home. However, no schools, parks or churches are within 1,000 feet of the potential location, Cate said.
Mayor Doug Sprouse stood up during the committee meeting and passionately spoke in defense of Piney Ridge.
"There are kids in our schools who utilize Piney Ridge, but more importantly, there are kids who are not getting help, and the parents will not get them help because of the stigma they hear. That's my concern, and that's where I pray for my grandkids," Sprouse said.
NW News on 12/07/2016
*CLARIFICATION: Piney Ridge is a psychiatric residential treatment facility for juveniles with sexual behavior disorders. It treats juvenile sex offenders, but not all of its residents are sex offenders. The facility was incorrectly described in this story.