Indianapolis — Some Indianapolis residents have expressed concern about the proposal for a women’s recovery center to open in the neighborhood of Winthrop Avenue. Despite the public meeting, some neighbors feel that the decisions so far have taken place without the neighbor’s full awareness.
“I understand that the way things are handled is legal, but I certainly feel it is unethical,” said Dr. Ami Rice. “That’s why I feel that we should pay attention to the issues in this process. They have essentially deprived me of all Zone 6 rights.”
According to Rice, her area in the South Broad Ripple district was unaware of an online meeting with Overdose Lifeline, Inc., a petitioner with the Meridian Kessler Land Use Association. Rice said her neighbor told her that it was planned.
“Oh, there’s a meeting and you have to be there, but I need your email because I need an email invitation to join this Webex meeting,” Rice said. I said about my neighbor.
The petitioner must prove that he has properly notified the people. According to Rice, the Dinsmore Group, which represents the overdose lifeline, sent a mailer warning its neighbors about its meeting with the hearing examiner of the Metropolitan Development Commission on February 28. She applied for an automatic continuation that pushed the hearing back to today.
The district councilor then applied for another permitted continuation. The examiner’s hearing on this proposal is currently set for April 14.
Due to this issue, FOX59 investigated what options residents have when expressing their views on proposals that affect their neighborhood.
According to city rules, the petitioner should warn the Metropolitan Development Commission of the desire to make changes. The Committee will notify you 23 days before the hearing. Under state law, the petitioner must notify the two properties via mail, a registered neighborhood group, and a city councilor.
Whether they want to engage in the process depends on the group in the neighborhood.
Two weeks ago, a notice was printed in the newspaper and an orange sign was posted on each street side of the property. All zoning changes must be approved by the Metropolitan Development Board and the City Council.
Residents are encouraged to attend the hearing. You can also contact the complainant whose contact information is included in the notification. The city stated that the petitioner does not need to meet his neighbor, but is encouraged to do so.
Residents can email their concerns to dmdpubliccomments@indy.gov.
Proposed Women’s Recovery Residence Program
The overdose lifeline states that this recovery home is aimed at helping women, pregnant women, and mothers suffering from substance use disorders. The ODL said the housing would require a 30-day stay and each resident would work with a care coordinator.
“We will be a home for women, no different than a home across the street,” said Justin Phillips, founder and executive director. “We will be good neighbors. We will not bother others. We are women seeking recovery and support.”
Rice said he was worried that the house might be too close to too many bars.
“Installing drugs in such an area surrounded by 10 bars within a 1.5-mile radius has stimulated drug trafficking, which is essentially hindering their recovery,” Rice said. ..
However, Phillips said alcohol sales are open throughout the city.
“As you know, grocery stores and gas stations have liquor,” says Philips. “Basically there are liquor stores in every corner, so that’s not something to consider negative.”
Rice also said some neighbors were concerned about the medicines contained in the house.
“If we’re supplying 20 people’s worth of methadone and suboxon for a month to this little house built in 1925, are they really going to secure a treasure trove of this street drug safely,” Rice asks. did.
Phillips said he wouldn’t elaborate on women’s personal information.
“We are not going to interfere with the HIPAA violation of the relationship between the woman in our house and her doctor,” Phillips said. “We are not a methadone or suboxon clinic. There is one of them in 46.th And keystone. It’s not who we are, zoning never allows it, nor does the law. “
Currently, the petitioner and opponents of this facility have several weeks to discuss the proposal with the hearing examiner before the next hearing.
