Pubdate: Thu, 08 Nov 2007
Source: Richmond News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.richmond-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244
Author: Nelson Bennett

EX-COUNCILLORS COME OUT AGAINST RECOVERY HOME

Two former Richmond First councillors have come out against a 
proposed group home for recovering addicts on Ash Street.

Kiichi Kumagai, who lost his seat in the last civic election, and Ken 
Johnston, who ran on the same slate but was not elected, issued a 
joint press release Wednesday opposing the Turning Point Society's 
expansion plans.

It is not the proposal per se that Kumagai opposes, but the scale.

"It is the size. It is overkill," he said.

"Local residents in the Ash neighbourhood have a right to be 
concerned," Johnston said in a press release. "Support is needed for 
individuals with addiction problems, but putting such a large scale 
institution in to the middle of a single-family community is simply 
not appropriate."

Kumagai - who founded the pro-business, pro-development Richmond 
First slate - said he was approached by residents living in the area 
who fear they are not being heard.

Asked if his public stance on the recovery home is a signal he plans 
on running in the November 2008 civic election, Kumagai said: "I 
haven't made that decision."

Johnston, on the other hand, confirmed he is "certainly contemplating it."

Turning Point already operates a 10-bed group home for men on Odlin 
Road. The society now wants to build another 10-bed home for men, a 
10-bed home for women, and a 12-bed long-term support facility on a 
half-acre of land at 8180 Ash St. The proposal requires a rezoning.

Although the densities proposed are consistent with the Official 
Community Plan (densification has taken place in the area in the form 
of townhouse development), 32 beds is three times as many as the 
city's policy on group homes recommends.

A group home task force was struck in 2001 in response to the Odlin 
Road recovery home for men, which generated considerable 
neighbourhood opposition when it was proposed in 1999.

The task force came up with a policy of allowing group homes of seven 
to 10 beds in residential neighbourhoods. It suggested locating them 
at least 200 metres from new or existing facilities "as it ensures 
that these facilities not be clustered in one area."

"The task force made a recommendation," Kumagai said. "They would 
accommodate 10-bed group homes in single-family areas. This is an 
institution. If you're going to put 32 beds in there, you're going to 
have more traffic."

Ironically, Kumagai and Johnston agree with Coun. Harold Steves - 
founder of the left-of-centre Richmond Citizens Association slate. 
Steves, who chairs the city's planning committee, agrees the recovery 
centre is too big and institutional for a residential neighbourhood.

Kumagai said he could support an institutional-size recovery centre 
in an appropriate location. He cites city-owned property near No. 3 
Road and Granville Avenue as an example.

Kumagai said there has been insufficient community consultation on 
Turning Point's proposal, which he said has been presented as a "fait 
accompli."

"Proper community consultation didn't come along until much later 
into the ballgame and that skirts due process, pure and simple," Kumagai said.

He said only 10 residences neighbouring the proposed facility were 
initially alerted of the plan. Turning Point executive director 
Brenda Plant disputes the claim there hasn't been sufficient 
community consultation.

"We notified the neighbours in April, and we did not go to the city 
with our application till September," she said.

According to a Turning Point press release, the society first sent 
out seven letters to homeowners in the immediate area in April, and 
followed up with a wider mailout of 1,150 letters. It also convened a 
community liaison committee. Plant added opponents of the proposal 
have been invited to tour Turning Point's facilities.

"We've made several attempts to meet with people and they haven't 
wanted to," she said.

The society pans to hold three open houses starting later this month.

The proposal is not scheduled to come before council until some time 
before or after Christmas.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart