Sometimes the Press gets it Wrong!!!

By Greg K on July 10, 2008 9:56 PM | | Comments (0)
I have received many calls concerning this proposed Methadone Clinic that Metro Treatment of New Hampshire would like to open in the O'Shea Industrial Park. There are a great many concerns that I personally have with this project and I have heard the concerns of those who have called or e-mailed me. We share the same concerns and, personally I would prefer this center not be located anywhere near Laconia or the Lakes Region.

With that being said allow me to share with you what the ordinances and process is. This center would be classified as a Health Clinic under the zoning regulations definitions, which is allowed in the Commercial and Industrial Zone. The building they want to purchase on Primrose Lane has a use permit for a manufacturing and industrial facility and this center would be a change of use. Because this is a permitted operation in this zone there has to be a "change of use" permit issued, which is strictly an administrative function of the Planning Director, Shanna Saunders. The process is spelled out in the ordinances and she is following it closely to ensure this permit application is handled in accordance with the laws and regulations.


Many of you saw the headline article in the Citizen of Laconia from yesterday titled Drug clinic seen getting green light, which said that Shanna is requiring the city departments to comment on the proposal by yesterday evening and she would approve this permit by Friday. There apparently was some misunderstanding of the facts that were provided to the reporter, which got many of you very upset and calling to express your anger.


The true facts are that Shanna is getting input from the department heads (Police, Fire, Public Works, etc...) and this process takes time to complete. There is no public hearing allowed during this process but the City Council can have a public hearing after the decision has been made. We, the City Council can only express our concerns on the merits of the application during this process, which we have already done.

We will be notified by Shanna as to what her decision is when she makes it and, if she decides to allow this permit the Council will have public hearings to allow you, the residents of Laconia to let your voices be heard. We then can ask Shanna to re-consider her decision based on the public input.

At least the Citizen did correct their mistake today with the article titled No decision yet on proposed clinic. This article shows that they did make some editing errors. I understand the anger and frustration that many of you felt and expressed as a result of the first article and thank you Gail Ober for setting the record straight.


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This page contains a single entry by Greg K published on July 10, 2008 9:56 PM.

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