Highland neighbors angry over plans for drug-rehab home

HIGHLAND — A rehabilitation home for recovering drug users planned for Highland's Country Club subdivision has residents angry — and worried.

An eight-bed group home, monitored by two around-the-clock staff members, was approved for a single-family home by the Highland City Council last month. The center could begin operating as early as next month.

But neighbors didn't find out about the facility until Friday, and now they want it out.

"This drug-rehab program is very upsetting, and then having no notification is very disturbing," said Jill Cahoon, a Country Club homeowner who, along with her husband, Jim, is leading residents' opposition to the group home. "I'm afraid of the kind of element it will invite. We only have smaller families in here, and then eight adults in one house would change the dynamic."

More than 80 neighbors filed into City Hall on Wednesday for a special meeting regarding the high-end rehabilitation facility, run by the Makin Home.

State law mandates that such facilities be allowed under anti-discrimination laws. Legally, an addiction-recovery group (defined as disabled in the statute) can move into a neighborhood without notification or a public hearing.

Makin Home attended City Council meetings twice in September, hoping to up the number of patients from four, as allowed by city ordinance, to eight. Labeled as a "reasonable accommodation for disabled persons" on the agenda, no residents attended either meeting.

"I was personally shocked all you people weren't there after that," said David Church, Highland's attorney. "No one was hiding it from you. It was an open address, an open decision."

The crowd, at times shouting furious statements and heated questions, searched for options. Concerns ranged from increased traffic, devalued home values and safety.

"Now, I'm considering getting a for-sale sign," said Darci Brunson, a mother of three who lives four houses down from the proposed group home. "That's why I moved in this neighborhood; it was a safe neighborhood."

The home in question, at 5010 Country Club Drive, is being sold by the former homeowner and real estate broker Mardi Horton, who is currently renting the place. Makin Homes wants to sign papers immediately for a six-month lease and then buy the house for $375,000.

"You know the real estate market. I'm losing $1,200 a month on this," a teary Horton told the crowd. "If I discriminate, I could lose my license."

Neighbors are appealing the council's decision and even discussed buying the home. A donation fund to take care of the home in the short-term was set-up. Residents are pushing to get the matter on the agenda for Tuesday's Highland City Council meeting to address their options further with the council.

e-mail: astowell@desnews.com