The proposed Wasatch Crest treatment facility on Highland Dr. could get a final decision from the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission Tuesday.
The commission delayed a vote on the facility at its last meeting, after county officials requested time to analyze local development laws.
In question specifically was a piece of code that prohibits one residential treatment facility for elderly or handicapped people from being within three-fourths of a mile of another such facility.
The ROOTs Transition treatment facility, which serves adolescent girls, is at 150 Highland Drive. That’s less than half a mile from the proposed Wasatch Crest home.
However, the county’s legal team concluded that the ROOTs facility falls under the definition of a “group home,” which specifically excludes facilities for persons with disabilities or the elderly. Therefore, the proposed Wasatch Crest project is code compliant, according to a staff report.
The home would serve two kinds of patients. Half would be people detoxifying from substance addiction and they would stay no longer than a week. The other half would be enrolled in a larger group addiction recovery program which could last several months.
At the last meeting, many neighbors expressed concerns about the center’s cleanliness and safety. Summit County Behavioral Health Director Aaron Newman was asked for his objective view on the proposal. Newman said Wasatch Crest meets the best standards and “checks all the boxes.”
Another public hearing will be held Tuesday to gather additional input, and the commission could vote to approve the project. It would then move to the Summit County Council, who is the final land use authority.
The commission will meet starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Richins Building in Kimball Junction. The Wasatch Crest proposal is the first item on the agenda.
A link to attend virtually and the staff report can be found here.
