BERKELEY, NJ — The Berkeley Township Zoning Board unanimously denied an application for a proposed detox and rehabilitation center in Bayville, citing its proximity to a preschool, church and residential homes, along with concerns for safety in the area.
Quantum Behavioral Health, which operates an outpatient treatment facility in South Toms River, applied for a number of variances that would allow them to operate the detox center at 6 Allard Road. The property, formerly home to the nursing home Bayville Manor, has Faith Community Church behind it, a neighborhood to its left and a preschool across the street on Atlantic City Boulevard.
This was a major issue for many neighboring residents as well as board members, who voiced these concerns over the course of the four hour meeting. To operate the center, the applicant needed a use variance as the property is in the highway business zone, which doesn’t allow rehab facilities.
Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The only physical changes to the building would be to add additional parking spaces.
While many residents agreed that with the opioid epidemic and high addiction rates within Ocean County that such a treatment center is necessary, they made their thoughts clear: it should not be at this location.
Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“This should be out in the Pine Barrens,” said neighbor Christopher Bartel, which is the area such facilities are permitted under Berkeley’s zoning laws. Many neighbors said that it was a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood, and that a rehab facility would be inappropriate there.
But the applicants insisted that it was important, particularly for the surrounding community. Justin Sabatino, chief operating officer at Quantum, estimated that about 80 percent of the center’s 58 beds would be filled by people from the surrounding community.
They also disagreed that safety and privacy would be a concern. Sabatino said that Quantum’s South Toms River facility has had no issues and that EMS had only been called for medical reasons.
Board member Gerry Morey said that the borough’s police chief had told him differently; however, he did not have the report with him at the time.
Quantum said that any potential patient would be screened beforehand, and all would be voluntary, so no court-ordered patients would be admitted. Additionally, no one with any history of violent or sexual crimes would be admitted.
The facility would be monitored 24/7. Though no security guards would be present, the behavioral health technicians would have taken security training. All doors would only be accessible by employees with a key card, though all could be unlocked in case of an emergency. The glass sliding doors in each bedroom would be permanently locked, Sabatino said, as they are not needed. Patients are not allowed to leave the building unattended.
Patients would be at the facility anywhere from 7-28 days, after which they would transition to partial hospitalization, which is offered at the existing Quantum location.
One resident who spoke in favor of the project, Beth Busch, said that there are already existing Oxford houses, or sober living houses, in the area that most are unaware of. There are at least two in Bayville, with one just under a mile from the site.
“I don’t know if you’ve seen someone detox,” she said. “They can’t leave their bed.”
Many were concerned that patients would break out and get into the neighborhood homes. Brandy Angeletti, RN and regional executive director of Quantum, said that in her 12 years of working in the field, only twice did patients get out.
But the Board remained unconvinced. They said that there were inconsistencies and concerns with the application, and while the applicant asked for the matter to be carried to have time to address new issues, the Board said that they had plenty of time, as the hearing had already been moved several times.
“Your incompetence is not our fault,” said Chairman Richard Elliott to the applicant’s attorney.
Though the application was denied, an appeal can be filed if the applicant feels the denial was capricious. Patch has reached out to the applicant’s attorney and will update once a response is given.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
Click Here: Trent Alexander-Arnold Jersey Sale