Mayor Dave Kaplan. Mayor Dave Kaplan.[/caption] by Jack Mayne Mayor Dave Kaplan and Des Moines City Councilmembers say they would like to move the site of the approved Woodmont recovery center, but state law says such “essential public facilities” cannot be blocked by city ordinances or zoning. Even so, they say they will try to convince the developers to locate it elsewhere. Despite the request of area residents, there will not be a formal 120-day time out for research before negotiating and approving a “good neighborhood agreement” that is necessary to be completed five months before the facility can open. But Woodmont area residents were told at the Council meeting Thursday night (Aug. 20) that it would take longer than that just to get any such agreement formulated. More objections Council on Thursday heard more complaints over the plan that many residents and some Council members heard about only days earlier last week. That plan is to build a drug, alcohol and mental health treatment center in their neighborhood along Pacific Highway in south Des Moines. Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation of Kent plan to build a 19,665 square foot mental health evaluation and treatment facility with 24 beds, a 25,340 square foot detoxification facility with 40 beds, along with an office building, a dispensary clinic, and meeting facility at 26915 Pacific Highway South. Failed due diligence Candace Urquhart said on Thursday night what she and others had told the Council two nights before that she wanted to “formally request” a 120-day research period. That request was initially discussed at the Tuesday (Aug. 18) meeting attended by about 250 people, where about 45 of them said the plan was bad for their neighborhood and to put it anywhere but in their neighborhood. “We request the city take the time to do the due diligence it failed to do before recommending approval and permitting this facility,” Urquhart said. “This period should be completed to the satisfaction of the citizens prior to entering into any so-called ‘good neighbor agreement.’” She said the city had “sat on information they had regarding this proposal instead of informing themselves or their citizens. We trust that this period will allow the City of Des Moines, the Federal Way School District, concerned citizen groups and the King County Library, Safeway and other stakeholders to dive deep and study other facilities both nationally and locally in order to identify best practices.” Urquhart, as others had on Aug. 18, said “the cumulative effects caused by this new facility where drug addicts will visit six times a week to receive a methadone fix must be studied thoroughly before the doors can open. “We are curious (how) you fund the 10 or 12 new police officers that we will need to keep our children, school and streets safe if this methadone clinic is allowed to open.” Without money for public safety available, Urquhart said, “no agreement can be implemented. Valley Cities should come up with the money, not the taxpayers of our bankrupt city.” [caption id="attachment_56067" align="aligncenter" width="490"]Screen shot 1 Laura Castronover said people coming for methadone treatment “will be coming over to Woodmont area right next to Woodmont Elementary. That is unacceptable. Find another location.”[/caption] Anywhere but here Resident Laura Castronover said she “urged everything in their power to make sure the recovery center is relocated somewhere else beside next to a school. I don’t think you guys did due diligence informing us citizens. I talked to the police chief and he was only aware of this about six months ago. “You guys are trying to make sure we don’t hear about this because in your City Currents (publication), you only have one sentence about this: ‘Recovery center is getting ready to break ground,’” Castronover said, and that the one sentence was in a paragraph about Highline College construction, not about a drug rehab facility as large as the proposal. “That is unacceptable. You need to do due diligence and provide information to us and to the chief of police in time to understand how much of an impact this is going to be on us.” She said that those undergoing methadone treatment are going to get it for life so they are unemployable anywhere where a drug test is required. “People will be coming over to Woodmont area right next to Woodmont Elementary. That is unacceptable. Find another location.” Move seems unlikely Councilmember Vic Pennington said there was a need for such clinics “but really I don’t think it needs to be there. “I know that Mayor Pro-Tem Pina, Mayor Kaplan, City Manager Piasecki and other staff members are beginning to enter into conversations with Valley Cities and other elected officials in the area to look at moving that facility to another location or, at the very least, finding a way to mitigate the major problems there.” Kaplan said they were trying but it would be difficult to change the location. Pennington said “essential public facilities” must be sited by cities and that state law overrides any local zoning or other issues, so he moved to have a city ordinance drafted that would in the future require notifying everyone in the city, not just those who are 300 or 600 feet from the potential site that has been the city rule. “This is a city-wide issue, it affects … not just one area,” Pennington said. Then Kaplan said “this is where we fell down … and, obviously we are working our way through it now, I agree that any essential facility that comes to the city it should go citywide” whenever it comes up for consideration. A motion to have such an ordinance drafted passed unanimously as did a Pennington’s request to try for a 120-day waiting period. City Manager Tony Piasecki said that likely would not be a problem because the hearing examiner had already said Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation of Kent had to have such an agreement in place five months before they could open. “There is a lot of work they need to do, there is a lot of work we need to do in order to make that all come together,” Piasecki said. “I don’t see that time frame becoming any kind of legal issue.” Emotions and talking “There is a lot of emotions on a lot of different subjects,” Pennington said. “I really believe that face-to-face, looking somebody in the eye and talking to them is the way to communicate.” Pro-Tem Mayor Matt Pina agreed, “There was a clear message – a great need, the wrong location.” “I am committed to do what I can with this Council within the confines of the law as it’s before us,” Pina said. “But I really do appreciate it when the community comes out and provides us with their insight. We really do appreciate hearing from all of you.” “The process by which that came about is legal; the challenges are usually with large projects, there is something that an applicant wants so it will usually come to Council, they want some change, but that wasn’t the case in this instance. They didn’t ask for anything, they didn’t ask for any change in zoning … so it never came to Council directly.” Kaplan said because of state law, that with “essential public facilities, our hands get tied sometimes – even if I don’t personally want it there.” He said, yet again, that a project this large needed to be more widely disseminated to the public and that so many found out about it only in the last couple of weeks caused people to be upset. Carefully, and deliberately, Kaplan said, “we are working on strategies to get the facility moved, some of those are going to be very difficult or long-shot. We are also working on trying to get this dispensary – the methadone piece of it taken out, that is complicated as well, but we are looking at all the options in trying to get this facility either moved or mitigated completely and, if we are not able to get it moved, we need and want the community’s input and participation as part of the good neighbor agreement. “The Council agrees that we need some time to be able to so some additional research which will help better tailor whatever comes out of the process in the end but we are also going to need your participation to make sure that nothing is missed,” the mayor said.]]>

Founder/Publisher/Editor. Three-time National Emmy Award winning Writer (“Bill Nye the Science Guy”), Director, Producer, Journalist and more...

46 replies on “City Council wants to move recovery center, but state law could block it”

  1. I really feel proud of our little community for coming together on this issue and seeking solutions in a civil, mature way. Obviously there is much dissatisfaction with the location of the project and how it was initially communicated to us, but it feels like we’re all taking steps toward solutions in a positive way. I want to thank the City Council, and especially Mayor Kaplan for hearing our concerns and taking steps to make things right in the future. Whether or not we have liked what he had to say, Dave Kaplan has been very involved in the conversation on this issue.

  2. I really feel proud of our little community for coming together on this issue and seeking solutions in a civil, mature way. Obviously there is much dissatisfaction with the location of the project and how it was initially communicated to us, but it feels like we’re all taking steps toward solutions in a positive way. I want to thank the City Council, and especially Mayor Kaplan for hearing our concerns and taking steps to make things right in the future. Whether or not we have liked what he had to say, Dave Kaplan has been very involved in the conversation on this issue.

  3. It would be nice to convey your concerns on matters pertaining to this city. I keep getting cut off on statement’s I’ve made. Twice now, I’ve almost completed my thoughts only to seen the screen go blank. I guess the Blog doesn’t want you to know the truth on the going on’s in this city…Rr

    1. RedondoRick –
      First off, thanks for your comment. We strive to provide a forum for all to civilly discuss city matters.
      Secondly, I’m not sure why you think we don’t “want you to know the truth on the going on’s in this city” – please give me an example? As Publisher/Editor I’d like to know why you think this.
      Feel free to email [email protected] or call our office at (206) 248-2565.
      I look forward to talking with you soon.
      Thanks,
      Scott Schaefer

      1. Scott, there is some technical issue that erases text at a certain point, at least for some of us. It’s impossible to type more than a few lines without the text box blanking. I’m on Chrome.

  4. It would be nice to convey your concerns on matters pertaining to this city. I keep getting cut off on statement’s I’ve made. Twice now, I’ve almost completed my thoughts only to seen the screen go blank. I guess the Blog doesn’t want you to know the truth on the going on’s in this city…Rr

    1. RedondoRick –
      First off, thanks for your comment. We strive to provide a forum for all to civilly discuss city matters.
      Secondly, I’m not sure why you think we don’t “want you to know the truth on the going on’s in this city” – please give me an example? As Publisher/Editor I’d like to know why you think this.
      Feel free to email [email protected] or call our office at (206) 248-2565.
      I look forward to talking with you soon.
      Thanks,
      Scott Schaefer

      1. Scott, there is some technical issue that erases text at a certain point, at least for some of us. It’s impossible to type more than a few lines without the text box blanking. I’m on Chrome.

  5. DMMama, if it were not for the total outrage from our community, Mayor Kaplan and the City Council would still be laying low and quiet over this whole thing.
    Our entire Des Moines City Government is now in total Cover Your Ass Mode. We would like to move it, BUT, state law will not let us, yeah right! Just tell us the truth, your putting money and politics before the safety of our children.

  6. DMMama, if it were not for the total outrage from our community, Mayor Kaplan and the City Council would still be laying low and quiet over this whole thing.
    Our entire Des Moines City Government is now in total Cover Your Ass Mode. We would like to move it, BUT, state law will not let us, yeah right! Just tell us the truth, your putting money and politics before the safety of our children.

  7. Severl thoughts.
    The program putting this facility in is called Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation of Kent”, um, why put this facility in DES MOINES???!!! It is a program based in KENT. Let them have it in thier backyard!
    If the City Council did not know much about his, surely City Manager Piasecki had full knowledge about this? Is anyone holding his feet to the fire here. Who is really incharge, the elected officials or the City Manager. Um, seems he makes some bad judgment calls. Maybe he should be replaced by someone more competent who is answerable to the City Coucil and the citizens of Des Moines?

  8. Severl thoughts.
    The program putting this facility in is called Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation of Kent”, um, why put this facility in DES MOINES???!!! It is a program based in KENT. Let them have it in thier backyard!
    If the City Council did not know much about his, surely City Manager Piasecki had full knowledge about this? Is anyone holding his feet to the fire here. Who is really incharge, the elected officials or the City Manager. Um, seems he makes some bad judgment calls. Maybe he should be replaced by someone more competent who is answerable to the City Coucil and the citizens of Des Moines?

  9. I am unclear by this article. WHO is saying there will not be a 120 day “time out”? As per the city council we were granted our request. We have not been formally notified otherwise. Please Advise.

    1. They City Council cannot stop the application from moving forward. They legally do not have the right to stop the project from being processed.

  10. I am unclear by this article. WHO is saying there will not be a 120 day “time out”? As per the city council we were granted our request. We have not been formally notified otherwise. Please Advise.

    1. They City Council cannot stop the application from moving forward. They legally do not have the right to stop the project from being processed.

  11. This article is poorly written and confusing, is there or isn’t there a formal 120 day waiting period? They voted, Mayor Kaplan tapped his gavel, it’s official right? Same official process that they used when they voted in this mess! The city council can not keep telling it citizens one thing then double talking to the media, or is the media getting it completely wrong?

  12. This article is poorly written and confusing, is there or isn’t there a formal 120 day waiting period? They voted, Mayor Kaplan tapped his gavel, it’s official right? Same official process that they used when they voted in this mess! The city council can not keep telling it citizens one thing then double talking to the media, or is the media getting it completely wrong?

  13. Regarding the 120 day period, my understanding is so that more information can be gathered regarding such facilities, but Vic Pennington will have to clarify that. Regarding notifications to the community, when there is an essential public facility that is contemplated being sited, at the point they have a pre-conference meeting or when they submit their application, a notice would go out city-wide.
    Per The Mayor Dave Kaplan

  14. Regarding the 120 day period, my understanding is so that more information can be gathered regarding such facilities, but Vic Pennington will have to clarify that. Regarding notifications to the community, when there is an essential public facility that is contemplated being sited, at the point they have a pre-conference meeting or when they submit their application, a notice would go out city-wide.
    Per The Mayor Dave Kaplan

  15. Lets stop going after the city and go after the state of wa and king county – they are providing the funding / grants for this & the laws that are stopping the city from doing anything about it. Or so we are told. If we can stop the funding or have it pulled back they can’t pay for the buildings, pay for the land, pay employees, pay for …..

  16. Lets stop going after the city and go after the state of wa and king county – they are providing the funding / grants for this & the laws that are stopping the city from doing anything about it. Or so we are told. If we can stop the funding or have it pulled back they can’t pay for the buildings, pay for the land, pay employees, pay for …..

  17. I can’t believe folks are wringing their hands over construction of a treatment facility. What’s more concerning is the Dollar Tree store opening in the old QFC. I would be more worried about the trash that comes with the store than I would be about a few folks coming to get addiction treatment.

    1. City of Des Moines — so think little of citizens who pay tax to the city. VERY DISAPPOINTED. After QFC — decided to welcome to be built DOLLAR TREE?!
      City gave us a joke!!
      City of Des Moines has possibilities to alter the revival living city; build the movie theater, organic stores, nice side walks, etc.
      One under construction hotel on Pacific Highway also ??? to the city.
      And this rehab story made us JOKE!! Unbelievable for the Mayor to decide it without listening before the citizen’s voice..
      Sad.

      1. I agree 100 percent. I bought a house here 4 years ago and at that time QFC was there. I was very sad to see it go. It would have been great if Haggen Foods , Thriftway or Metropolitan Market would set up shop. Even better would be a Trader Joe’s or the great local organic store PCC. This spot is a landmark location near the marina that everyone drives by. I could not believe it – Doller Tree. This is not the way Des Moines wants to brand itself. We really don’t want to move Pacific Highway businesses down to the waterfront , but it looks like this is what’s happening. The mayor and city council should be very concerned with the direction the city is moving on their watch. Through in the Treatment Facility and Des Moines is starting to becoming a very poor and trashy city.

        1. Not that I disagree about not wanting the Dollar Tree but why do you think the City Council can stop it? The City doesn’t own the building and the owner can rent to whoever they want. It was the same with the QFC leaving, it had nothing to do with the city council and everything to do with the owner of the building.

          1. Exactly. TJ’s is very specific about where they locate. DM would not be an option for them for various reasons. The building would not bode well for other grocery stores either. The owners have been bickering for years, nobody wanted to get in the middle of that nonsense. Nothing the City could do about Dollar Store opening up shop. You cannot zone for “grocery” except “dollar store.”
            Dollar store is retail sales tax. That’s a positive thing!

  18. I can’t believe folks are wringing their hands over construction of a treatment facility. What’s more concerning is the Dollar Tree store opening in the old QFC. I would be more worried about the trash that comes with the store than I would be about a few folks coming to get addiction treatment.

    1. City of Des Moines — so think little of citizens who pay tax to the city. VERY DISAPPOINTED. After QFC — decided to welcome to be built DOLLAR TREE?!
      City gave us a joke!!
      City of Des Moines has possibilities to alter the revival living city; build the movie theater, organic stores, nice side walks, etc.
      One under construction hotel on Pacific Highway also ??? to the city.
      And this rehab story made us JOKE!! Unbelievable for the Mayor to decide it without listening before the citizen’s voice..
      Sad.

      1. I agree 100 percent. I bought a house here 4 years ago and at that time QFC was there. I was very sad to see it go. It would have been great if Haggen Foods , Thriftway or Metropolitan Market would set up shop. Even better would be a Trader Joe’s or the great local organic store PCC. This spot is a landmark location near the marina that everyone drives by. I could not believe it – Doller Tree. This is not the way Des Moines wants to brand itself. We really don’t want to move Pacific Highway businesses down to the waterfront , but it looks like this is what’s happening. The mayor and city council should be very concerned with the direction the city is moving on their watch. Through in the Treatment Facility and Des Moines is starting to becoming a very poor and trashy city.

        1. Not that I disagree about not wanting the Dollar Tree but why do you think the City Council can stop it? The City doesn’t own the building and the owner can rent to whoever they want. It was the same with the QFC leaving, it had nothing to do with the city council and everything to do with the owner of the building.

          1. Exactly. TJ’s is very specific about where they locate. DM would not be an option for them for various reasons. The building would not bode well for other grocery stores either. The owners have been bickering for years, nobody wanted to get in the middle of that nonsense. Nothing the City could do about Dollar Store opening up shop. You cannot zone for “grocery” except “dollar store.”
            Dollar store is retail sales tax. That’s a positive thing!

  19. That”s right -the owner can rent to whoever it wants to. That’s is why it’s important for the city council and mayor not to let a prime property sit dormant for 2 years. Be proactive and creative city council and work with this owner. If this was a difficult place to rent, O. K – so the city council can vote to give incentives to this owner and possible new companies to insure a good outcome for the City of Des Moines. Good cities do this all the time. Be creative city council and earn your money.

  20. That”s right -the owner can rent to whoever it wants to. That’s is why it’s important for the city council and mayor not to let a prime property sit dormant for 2 years. Be proactive and creative city council and work with this owner. If this was a difficult place to rent, O. K – so the city council can vote to give incentives to this owner and possible new companies to insure a good outcome for the City of Des Moines. Good cities do this all the time. Be creative city council and earn your money.

  21. That”s right -the owner can rent to whoever it wants to. That’s is why it’s important for the city council and mayor not to let a prime property sit dormant for 2 years. Be proactive and creative city council and work with this owner. If this was a difficult place to rent, O. K – so the city council can vote to give incentives to this owner and possible new companies to insure a good outcome for the City of Des Moines. Good cities do this all the time. Be creative city council and earn your money.

Comments are closed.