WHWCNC voted to oppose the Residential Detox Program Application

Dec 15, 2022 | HomePage

At our December 12, 2022 Meeting we discussed the following item and voted to adopt a resolution not to support the application.

Project Description:

Application to expand an operating 6-bed/patient Detox facility in a single-family residence treating substance abuse patients (by right under State Law) into a 12-bed/12-person Detox facility at the same location using primarily the same staff and facilities. Expansion over the State allowed six patients is not by-right under State Law, and approval is solely at the discretion of the City of Los Angeles. At three (3) WHWCNC PLUM Committee presentations, neighbors spoke about numerous problems currently emanating from this facility and causing issues in the neighborhood. They aired concerns that doubling the number of patients in the current facility without expanding staff or protections put the community at risk. The Applicant was asked—and agreed—to hold in-persons meetings with the neighbors and discuss the issues and any possible remedies. No meeting(s) occurred three months after the Applicant made and agreed to the request.

PLUM Motion December 12, 2022, Passed

Collins Case Report

As pertaining to Cases ZA-2022-1090-ZV-ZAA and ENV-2022-2091-CE, having held three (3) public
virtual teleconference PLUM meetings for the application filed by Aaron Barsalou, the applicant/owner
of Psyclarity Health, the Planning, Land Use and Mobility Committee hereby finds that:

WHEREAS, the applicant has been operating a by-right 6-bed Residential Detox Program at the 22450 Collins Street location under State License No.191055AP since August 2020, treating substance abuse patients: and,

WHEREAS, the applicant is now requesting a Zone Variance to permit increasing the by-right, 6 bed licensed Residential Detox Program on the RE11-1 zoned parcel at 22450 Collins Street, to a 12-bed Program, that is not covered by the State statute, by doubling up in the existing rooms; and, WHEREAS, the applicant has stated does not plan to increase staff levels, add oversight personnel or make any modifications to the existing structure to accommodate the requested increased client count; and,

WHEREAS, the LAPD has reported that during the period of September 2021 to September 2022, there were a total of 9 police/emergency calls (an average of 1 every 40 days) for service at the facility; and, WHEREAS, the surrounding neighbors have expressed concerns that the increased volume of occupants will result in an increase in the level of residents roaming the neighborhood streets at night, and increase emergency and police activity resulting in further deterioration of the safety and quiet, semi-rural nature of the residential community; and,

WHEREAS, the Applicant agreed to hold meetings with neighbors to see if issues could be worked out but failed to hold even one such meeting over a three-month period; and,

WHEREAS, the PLUM Committee members question whether the existing staff level will be sufficient to prevent occupants from leaving the facility alone and roaming on the local streets; and, WHEREAS, the applicant plans to increase on-site parking capacity from 4 to 8 spaces by adding 4 new parking spaces and 10 bicycle spaces in the open back yard space of the property to comply with the required minimum of 9 parking spaces, thus negating the need for a Zone Variance; and, WHEREAS, a Zoning Administrator Determination is being requested to address an existing reduced side yard setback of 5’6” to 8’ in lieu of the minimum required setback of 10’ for institutions and centers like this; and,

WHEREAS, a temporarily closed school facility–Hughes Adult Learning Center, (formerly Charles Evans Hughes Junior High School) is directly across Capistrano Avenue to the west and is currently being used by the West Valley Girls Softball League for athletic activities and could put these children in a dangerous situation; and, WHEREAS, another Detox facility in the community is already located approximately .38 of a mile away on Dolorosa Street;

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Planning, Land Use and Mobility Committee, for the findings stated herein, finds that the submitted application and plans to expand the Substance Abuse facility at 22450 Collins Street from the current 6 patients to the requested 12 patients, not receive the support of the Board of the Woodland Hills -Warner Center Neighborhood Council for the requested action(s);

The Planning, Land Use and Mobility Committee recommends that the Board of the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council advise the city of Los Angeles Planning Department and Council District 3 Councilmember Bob Blumenfield of its findings and recommendation to not approve the application presented on Dec. 12, 2022.