Highland residents appeal rehab center decision

HIGHLAND (AP) — Residents of this Utah County city are appealing a decision allowing a drug rehabilitation center in a residential neighborhood.

Thursday the city started the process of mediating the dispute by bringing in attorney Michael Walch.

Walch said he is trying to determine whether the city properly applied its ordinance when it decided in September to allow the center.

A group of residents appealed the decision, saying that among other things the city ignored a state law prohibiting drug and alcohol treatment centers in residential areas.

An attorney for Makin Homes, which got city approval for the center and has since changed its name to Alpine Treatment Services, said the city's decision must be upheld to avoid discrimination under federal law.

If both sides cannot agree on Walch's ruling, they must appeal in district court.