Rehab home battle on hold

June Casagrande

A battle that has raged on for years over drug and alcohol-recovery

homes will have to wait at least a few weeks more for a solution.

The Planning Commission on Thursday agreed to postpone a decision

on zoning changes that could regulate some recovery homes in the

city.

“We don’t have all the answers, and I’d prefer to do some further

analysis,” City Atty. Bob Burnham said.

The move comes on the heels of several City Council study sessions

and extensive legal analysis of the issue with the help of outside

attorneys.

In attempting to navigate through sweeping state and federal laws

that leave the city’s hands somewhat tied, city officials have turned

to the local zoning ordinance to gain some control over the recovery

homes, which local homeowners say are peppered throughout the Balboa

Peninsula.

Burnham said in a staff report that an amended, more restrictive

ordinance regulating the homes will preserve the character of

residential neighborhoods without breaching state and federal housing

discrimination laws.

Some neighbors to the homes blame unwanted noise and litter in

their neighborhoods on the treatment centers’ tenants. A spokesman

from the Narconon recovery group home on the peninsula has said

officials at the home have already taken steps to reduce noise and

other nuisances.

Commissioners implored speakers on Thursday to stick to the topic

of zoning, but it didn’t stop recovered drug addicts and fed-up

residents from venting their feelings.

“I’m very grateful for the drug programs in Newport Beach and I

think you should be too,” said Orange County resident Erica Falke,

who identified herself as a recovering heroin addict.

Residents who say they suffered from noise and nuisances from the

home also opposed the ordinance as written, saying it doesn’t contain

enough protections.

“The proposed amendment before you tonight comes out of left

field,” said Darren Cottriel, an attorney representing residents

opposed to the homes.

Planning commissioners said they intend to protect residents from

excessive noise.

“My hope is that we apply ordinances in the most aggressive

fashion possible to protect residences,” commissioner Michael Toerge

said.

The matter will come back before commissioners next month.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.