Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-03-12-085 — Hogar Crea International, Inc.

Request: Special Exception in C-1 (retail commercial) zone to convert single family residence into a substance abuse rehabilitation facility for up to 12 clients and Variance to allow unpaved parking in lieu of paved. (NOTE: The applicant was cited by the Code Enforcement Division for operating without proper zoning approvals).

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The Staff Report and Recommendation is located on Pages____. The applicant wants to operate a drug rehabilitation facility for up to 12 clients. They were cited by the Code Enforcement Division for operating without zoning approval. Details of the facility are located in the staff report. The applicant advised the BZA this was a "transitional house" facility. No drug abuse treatment is provided. Nor is this a de-tox facility. This is a residence/office that allows former drug addicts to counsel each other. Staff presented its analysis. Staff concluded this facility should be located on a major roadway and not a residential roadway close to residences. The BZA questioned the applicant thoroughly. The District #3 BZA appointee voiced concerns about the request. She felt this use would be more appropriate in a shopping center or industrial area. The BZA concluded the applicant was providing a needed service and the location was reasonable since the property was zoned commercial and surrounded on three (3) sides by intense automobile service type uses. There was no opposition at the hearing. Staff received 4 commentaries in opposition.