Source: http://www.avpress.com/n/26/0726_s6.hts

Decision on Narconon rehab clinic delayed
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Wednesday, July 26, 
2006.
By LISA WAHLA HOWARD
Valley Press Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES - County supervisors Tuesday put off making a decision on a drug 
rehab facility proposed for Leona Valley, and instead sent the issue back to 
the Regional Planning Commission for further review.
Hundreds of people turned up for the scheduled public hearing, and more than 
70 had signed up to speak on Narconon's plans to expand its 
Scientology-based drug and alcohol rehab program into Bouquet Canyon.

But in the end, no one spoke on the project but a staff member from Regional 
Planning, Narconon International President Clark Carr and another Narconon 
representative before the board approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. 
Antonovich to remand the project back to the commission.

"There were issues raised by the Fire Department relative to safety and the 
ability to have a secure facility for the neighbors," said Antonovich, whose 
5th District includes the north county.

"There were also issues raised by Public Works as to flooding, and 
(questions were asked about) the density relative to what would be allowed 
if they were single-family homes."

The Planning Commission in March approved the plan to convert a former 
boarding school for 66 people who would receive treatment at the facility, 
plus staff members.

In addition, Antonovich mentioned traffic safety on Bouquet Canyon Road as 
another reason to have the Planning Commission review the project further 
for possible additional mitigation measures.

Carr said he understands the reasons for further review, and he said the 
organization is committed to working through the concerns.

"It's a delay, but a reasonable delay that absolutely makes sense to do," 
Carr said. "Our intention is to be absolutely within the codes and 
regulations because we plan to be there a long time."

Narconon supporters outnumbered the opponents, and a number of people who 
signed up to speak on the item said they or their relatives had been aided 
by Narconon's services. Some supporters said they lived in nearby Green 
Valley.

More than 30 opponents signed up to voice their complaints about the plans, 
the majority of whom were Leona Valley residents. Some came from elsewhere 
in the county, and one person who signed up gave an address near another 
Narconon facility in Warner Springs.

Bouquet Canyon resident Aurelia Huff said she worries about the impact the 
facility and its residents will have on her three young children. She said 
the project has already affected the sale of her home, with a potential 
buyer saying he won't complete the transaction if Narconon moves in.

"They're a low-security facility, with just a few security guards that could 
be ex-addicts themselves," she said.

Nearby resident Andria Witmer said she hopes the Planning Commission will 
now have time to review documents she submitted from state investigators, 
who found numerous violations at Narconon's several other facilities in 
California.

"Regional Planning needs to have all the information, including the 
inaccurate testimony given by Narconon the first time," she said, referring 
to a lack of information regarding the past violations.

lhoward@avpress.com