Letter to Orange County Public Works
Please send an email to Orange County Public Works. Deadline 11/19/19, 5:00 pm.
Address the email to: [email protected]
In the cc field, please add: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: Zoning Changes
Please use something like the following language:
Dear OC Public Works,
Our family strongly supports changes in zoning that have been requested to address encroachment of businesses into residential neighborhoods, and in particular with what the proposed changes refer to as “Sober Living Homes.” We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the state refers to such operations as “Recovery Residences,” and referring to them otherwise creates unnecessary confusion. We strongly support 1000 feet of separation between licensed and unlicensed houses providing recovery services because they are not the only group homes in our community, and we must leave room for other types to maintain the diversity of our community. We request that you require background checks of operators and employees for violent crimes and drug distribution. Those who will be working in residential neighborhoods should be screened for drug use as active illicit drug use is incompatible with supervision of those seeking sobriety. For the protection of occupants, clients should be screened for violent pasts and drug dealing and excluded if they have such prior histories. Lastly, it is imperative that houses in the vicinity of Recovery Residences be notified by the operators of how to file complaints with both the operator and the county.
Thank you for creating a complete model that may be used by other Orange County cities.
Address the email to: [email protected]
In the cc field, please add: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: Zoning Changes
Please use something like the following language:
Dear OC Public Works,
Our family strongly supports changes in zoning that have been requested to address encroachment of businesses into residential neighborhoods, and in particular with what the proposed changes refer to as “Sober Living Homes.” We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the state refers to such operations as “Recovery Residences,” and referring to them otherwise creates unnecessary confusion. We strongly support 1000 feet of separation between licensed and unlicensed houses providing recovery services because they are not the only group homes in our community, and we must leave room for other types to maintain the diversity of our community. We request that you require background checks of operators and employees for violent crimes and drug distribution. Those who will be working in residential neighborhoods should be screened for drug use as active illicit drug use is incompatible with supervision of those seeking sobriety. For the protection of occupants, clients should be screened for violent pasts and drug dealing and excluded if they have such prior histories. Lastly, it is imperative that houses in the vicinity of Recovery Residences be notified by the operators of how to file complaints with both the operator and the county.
Thank you for creating a complete model that may be used by other Orange County cities.