Steubenville City Council debates conditional use permit

Steubenville City Council voted unanimously, with one abstention, to recommend the Planning and Zoning Board deny Brookfield Counseling and Recovery's conditional use permit for a 26-bed mental health facility. The council's decision was influenced by concerns over the facility's proximity to Beacon House, which offers similar services, thus breaching local zoning regulations that require a 1,250-foot buffer. Law Director Costa Mastros noted that while the council's recommendation is not legally binding, it serves to inform the Planning and Zoning Board of community sentiment. The council received over 30 letters of opposition from local businesses, residents, and churches, with a petition already gathering 64 signatures against the facility. Critics highlighted troubling data from a similar Brookfield center, which recorded over 147 police calls in one year, raising fears of increased emergency incidents.

Concerns also focused on the facility's location near a school and the potential for increased traffic and safety hazards. Fifth Ward Councilman Ted Gorman pointed out that the permit approval could set a dangerous precedent, undermining neighborhood safety and property values. The community remains vigilant, advocating for the preservation of their neighborhood's character amid the proposed changes.