<p>After several years of inactivity, the former Ocean View Convalescent Center in Long Beach is close to clearing regulatory hurdles to become a drug and alcohol treatment center.</p>

    LONG BEACH After sitting vacant for more than two years, a former Long Beach convalescent center is on track for transformation into a residential treatment facility following the approval of a conditional use permit application submitted by a California drug and alcohol treatment company.

    Last month, White Rabbit Partners, Inc., submitted the application with the intention of turning the former Ocean View Convalescent Center into a residential substance abuse treatment center.

    Located within a multi-family residential restricted zoning district at 211 Pioneer Road West, the 19,000 square-foot building was constructed in 1966.

    According to a staff report prepared by Long Beach Community Development Director Gayle Borchard, White Rabbit Partners are proposing a 44-bed drug and alcohol treatment facility that would have an estimated annual payroll of $1.5 million and create approximately 30 new jobs in the area.

    Borchard stated that she sent notifications of the conditional use permit application and public hearing to property owners within 300 feet of the property. The public comment period was Oct. 25 through Nov. 9.

    Hearings examiner Jan Hedges conducted a public hearing at Long Beach City Hall on Nov. 10 to consider information from the applicants and the community.

City staff makes

recommendations

    City staff recommended approval of the permit so long as White Rabbit agreed to 15 conditions, which included: limiting occupancy to 50 participants at a time; the facility being manned at all times; installing a camera-based security system; providing management contact information to neighbors residing within 100 feet of the facility; respecting neighbors rights of enjoyment between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.; admitting only voluntary cases in which the individual is age 18 and older and has no felony assault or sex offense convictions; and reserving two beds for Peninsula community members to receive treatment in exchange for performing 300 hours of community service.

    Hedges asked the applicants if they were satisfied with the proposed conditions, and they were amenable.

Neighbors have questions

    Trudy Lyster, a neighbor to the property, asked if the security alarms would be audible to neighbors, as nearby residents could hear the former convalescent centers alarm, even long after the building was vacated. She also expressed concern about the facilitys garbage, as she said animals often got into the convalescent centers unattended garbage.

    Andrew Spanswick, chief executive officer for White Rabbit Partners Inc., assured that the new alarm system wouldnt be a nuisance to neighbors.

    Hedges asked if the facilitys trash would contain sharps and other hazards. Spanswick said they would have a large dumpster screened from public eye and locked if necessary. He said he expects the facility to generate very little medical waste, and that any such waste would be stored indoors and scheduled for separate pickup.

    Citizens also expressed concerns about security precautions and if the presence of a drug and alcohol treatment facility would negatively impact neighboring property values.

    Spanswick said KLEAN, his companys 23-bed treatment center in West Hollywood, Calif., improved the frontage and quality of its neighborhood, creating an invisible facility that blends in with its Beverly Hills surroundings. He explained that all of their clients would be admitted there voluntarily, and while the facility wouldnt be able to force anyone to stay, there are psychologists on staff to assist in creating a safe discharge plan. He added that there will be security cameras recording from all perimeters at all hours, and that the nurses station would be alerted whenever someone attempts to enter or leave the building. Spanswick noted he has never had any negative interactions with the neighbors of KLEAN.

    The CEO added that his company intends to utilize local businesses in day-to-day operations of their facility, and they also plan to develop a family visitation program that could bring 10 families per week to the Peninsula, bringing in additional revenue for local lodging and dining establishments.

    Neighbor John Ramsey said he was in favor of the proposal and also appreciated the fact that two beds would be available for members of the community.

Happy to see building

back in use

    Brady Turner stated that he saw the building being in use as a bigger benefit than any risk the treatment center would pose.

    Brian Wentworth, a neighbor who identified himself as a member of the recovery community, said he was excited at the prospect of a treatment facility coming to the Peninsula, as it would add jobs to the community. He added that since the facility would be for voluntary treatment, none of the residents would be court-appointed. 

    On Nov. 14, Hedges notified the city that he had made the decision to approve the conditional use permit application.

    According to Spanswick, the new facilitys executive director will be Larry Peterson, CEO of Astoria Pointe drug and alcohol treatment center.