Chambana Sun

The village of Sidney Board of Trustees met April 18 for a special informational meeting about the proposed Bayview Family Clinic Recovery Center.

The board provides oversight, governance and guidance for the village of Sidney. 

Here are the meeting minutes, as provided by the village.

VILLAGE OF SIDNEY BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING ABOUT BAYVIEW CLINIC April 18, 2016

6/2/2016

The Sidney Village Board met on the above date for a special meeting for an informational meeting about the proposed Bayview Family Clinic Recovery Center on 1100 County Road N, Sidney. The following trustees were present: Arrasmith, Cokley, Finn, McCloud, and Schluter and President White. Village Clerk Moore and Attorney Hendren were also present. Trustee Roberts was absent.

I. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 PM. President White told the people in attendance the order of business. First, Bayview representatives would give a presentation. Second, people in attendance could speak by coming to the front of the room, introducing themselves, and observing a 5-minute time limit. Third, Bayview people would respond to the questions and comments presented. President White then asked Attorney Hendren to give some background information.

Attorney Hendren said that the Bayview spokespersons had requested this opportunity to further explain their proposal and plans to Village residents and to answer questions from Village residents. President White also wanted everyone to have the opportunity to speak so scheduled this meeting. This meeting is informational only, and the trustees will be making no decisions. The property is zoned CR (Conservation Recreation) by the county and this type of facility is not permitted there under Champaign County zoning restrictions. Therefore, the property owners have asked the Village of Sidney to enter into a pre-annexation agreement for this property covering the future annexations of the property if it ever becomes contiguous to the Village. Under this agreement, the property would be subject to the Village's zoning ordinance and also to the Village's building and development ordinances. Two-thirds (5 of 7) votes are required to pass an pre-annexation agreement. The applicants will pay all costs associated with the project. If a formal application for a pre-annexation agreement and a zoning variance is made, the Village has to have a public hearing on the matter. Only after the hearing would the Board of Trustees make a decision on the matter. BUT no formal applications have so far been made to the Board so no decisions will be made until all the steps mentioned are met.

Joel Ward, broker for the property, then conducted a powerpoint presentation of the property in question (attached). Kimberly Ratts and Dr. Linus Anukwu passed out handouts (attached) and told of the plans for the recovery center. Dr. Anukwu apologized for the misunderstand among people and said it was because they had come to the Board informally to tell of the plans. He asked that the audience stay openminded. Bayview representatives then presented the plan for the facility (attached is previously given handout with the plans).

Questions and Comments from the Public

Concern – Why did Bayview ask for RTC1 as opposed to a special use zoning? In special use, if the clinic closed, the property would go back to Conservation-Recreation.

Is this part of a recovery group already in existence? (no)

Will all patients be from Champaign County?

How many showings were there of the property?

Could you define annual contribution?

What does pre-screening mean?

Could you clarify what “never being left along” means?

Where will the property be gated?

Will keeping the two extra parcels as farm ground be in writing?

There are homes within ½ mile of the property.

Will there be continued support of the Village library, fire department, scholarships, etc.?

Will there be security cameras?

What will be the pay for jobs?

Will there be on-site parking? If Sidney residents are employed there, how they get to work?

Will they just be replacing drugs (methodone)?

Will there be biohazardous materials there?

What effect will the delivery of materials on the roads?

Will the firing of guns disturb you and will you complain about them?

It is not our problem that the house can't be sold.

What is our recourse if the facility doesn't match our expectations?

Like the small town atmosphere to raise her family.

No reason to leave the facility?

Will the contracts be for alcohol/prescription drug treatment only?

Will you promise that they can't leave?

Had a drug addict husband; wants to protect her children.

You can see the house from the road.

Why do you need a gate if it is secure?

Like some of the alternatives for the property.

Will you hire a security firm that knows how to deal with drug addicts?

Drugs are everywhere. These are everyday people, not dirty gutter rats.

Will be proud of the facility.

If Board passes this, they had better be prepared for what happens next and keep their heads down.

(Trustee McCloud called the speaker on this. Said that he was threatening the Board and that was unacceptable.)

Just objecting to the location

Has a petition of people against it

People should be punished for having illegal drugs and should be locked up, not be sent to treatment centers.

The Board should listen to the people who spoke tonight.

If you are proud of the facility, why wouldn't you want to put up a sign?

My opinion – will have an effect on property values

Live ¼ mile from the house. It will have an effect on property values.

Answers:

Can go to special use zoning instead of RTC.

Bayview has tried to reach out to people.

Could have a board of neighbors to keep check on themselves

Patients will be from Champaign County.

Contributions will be worked out between attorneys.

Understands the concern over safety of children

The security is to keep people out and to keep the patients' privacy.

Shuttle bus would pick up employees who live in Sidney in Sidney.

Stable means not in detox.

We don't intend to complain about the gun noise. Whom would we complain to? Back to Board of Neighbors

There are facilities everywhere but this is a unique facility for central Illinois.

People can leave. They would take them back by shuttle.

Security – it would be hard for patients to leave without notice to the staff.

Medical personnel would be on site.

The facility is for prescription drug and alcohol addicted patients only.

Further Comments:

Medical emergencies would be handled on site. Sometimes a person might have to go to a hospital.

Broker – This is a good use for this facility. It has been marketed as single family but hasn't worked. If this facility doesn't go in, will be marketing more broadly for commercial/industrial.

What will happen if you close or sell? What is the new owners don't abide by the rules set up? What is the recourse?

If change the zoning to special use, not RTC, the new owner has to go back to Conservation/Recreation usage.

I am against this 100%.

Trustee Schluter moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee McCloud seconded the motion; motion carried with all ayes on a roll call vote. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.

__________________________ _________________________

Carol Moore, Village Clerk Date Approved