Source: 
http://www.the-signal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=31764&format=html

Narcanon Site Referred Back to County

By Kristopher Daams
Signal Staff Writer

Wednesday July 26, 2006

A drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility with links to the Church of 
Scientology was referred back to county planning officials Tuesday to look 
into access and property issues for its proposed Bouquet Canyon site.

International drug rehabilitation organization Narconon won final approval 
of their proposed facility in mid-March, but "relatively new information" 
had the proposal referred back to the county's Regional Planning Commission, 
said Paul Novak, planning deputy to Fifth District Supervisor Michael D. 
Antonovich.

The proposed Narconon facility was referred back after questions came up 
regarding access to the site - which sits on Bouquet Canyon Road about 15 
miles outside Santa Clarita city limits - and portions of the 30-acre site 
that sit on a flood plain.

"Circumstances of the property have changed because of the storms of last 
winter," Novak said, pointing toward increased debris and earth that built 
up on and around the property.

Novak said the site's driveway runs over a creekbed, and added that the site 
"physically changed" after it was investigated by planning officials in 
August.

"The motion is just sending it back and saying 'Look at these issues,'" 
Novak said. "We will ask the planning commission to try and hear the case as 
soon as possible."

Antonovich had the approval by the county's Regional Planning Commission 
come under review by the supervisors after members of the public expressed 
concerns.

The 66-bed facility would have a staff of 11 people and a 10-year permit to 
operate.

Narconon uses research and developments derived from author L. Ron Hubbard 
in its rehabilitation treatments, according to the organization's Web site.

William Benitez, a former inmate in the Arizona State Prison system and 
heroin addict, founded Narconon.

No public testimony regarding the proposed rehabilitation facility was heard 
Tuesday, but the issue is expected to be heard again by planning officials, 
Novak said.