Recovery Centers of America Files Suit Against Gloucester, NJ Planning & Zoning Boards; Claims Include Discrimination Under A...
October 06 2015 - 10:40AM
Business Wire
Recovery Centers of America (RCA) has filed suit in New Jersey
state and federal courts against the Gloucester, NJ Planning Board
for a number of claims originating from the illegal denial of RCA
approvals for the By-Right development of a behavioral health
center located at 1840 Peter Cheeseman Road, Blackwood, NJ.
Among the claims, the suit alleges that township officials
violated the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities
Act by excluding and denying services to local residents suffering
from disabilities, including alcohol and drug addiction. The suits
center on Gloucester’s unexpected August denial of a By-Right,
minor site plan for interior renovations on the property.
The denial came after RCA had proactively approached the Zoning
Board in March, 2015 and after two months of public hearings,
received an interpretation that the location was permitted for use
by a residential treatment facility. That interpretation was later
affirmed by the Township’s own paid consultant, Ken Lechner, who in
July, testified that the project complies with all use, density,
and bulk requirements and is a By-Right Application.
However, in August, when RCA appeared before the board for
approval to begin minor renovations to the property, they were
denied by a six-to-one vote. This was after the Board heard
testimony from local residents who, rather than addressing the
minor site plan request, attacked the facility and its residents,
who are a protected class under state and federal law.
“The Board’s behavior was nothing short of outrageous and
discriminatory, a flagrant violation of both the Fair Housing and
Americans with Disabilities Acts,” begins Brian O’Neill, founder
and chief executive officer of Recovery Centers of America. “We
were told both publicly and privately that the denial had nothing
to do with the renovations but rather it was a politically-based
decision to deny patients receipt of treatment at this location,
which is a direct and clear attack to both Fair Housing and the
ADA. This issue is much greater than simply NIMBYism. Last year
alone, 1,310 NJ families lost loved ones to heroin, cocaine, and
prescription drug-related deaths. Those voices did not show up in
opposition. But they are our sons and daughters, mothers and
fathers. We fight for them and will continue to fight for them. If
we save one life, it will be a well-fought effort to improve our
community and provide help and support for those who are suffering
from this disease.”
The new facility will serve as the first national center for
addiction medicine that will primarily serve the local region while
attracting input from top medical and behavioral health
professionals to advance substance use disorder treatment.
About Recovery Centers of America:
Recovery Centers of America offers diverse, comprehensive, and
customizable behavioral health management solutions. In an industry
in need of serious improvement, RCA has assembled the top experts
in the field to collaborate with leadings minds in substance use
disorder treatment in updating treatment technology. At each of its
centrally located treatment facilities, industry-leading addiction
professionals provide education, treatment, and recovery support
for substance abuse and mental health disorders. RCA aim to help
1,000,000 people get into meaningful recovery, and has set the
standard for the addiction recovery treatment in America. RCA is
committed to becoming the first nationally branded provider of
substance abuse and recovery support services in the country. For
more information visit http://www.recoverycentersofamerica.com/
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Recovery Centers of America (RCA)Press
Contact:Greg Matusky, 610-642-4045greg@gregoryfca.com