(Corrects vote in paragraph 1)The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment met early this (Monday) morning, and held a Public Hearing on a request from Zion Recovery Services for a Conditional Use Permit. Zion is a provider of behavioral and mental health services for persons with behavioral health conditions, serious mental illness and emotional disorders, substance abuse disorders and gambling. Their prevention services encompasses 12 counties in the surrounding area. The permit allows for the operation of a health and medical institution in an R-4 Multiple Family Residential District, at Zion’s property located at 2307 Olive Street. City/Zoning Administrator John Lund says following the hearing, the Board voted 4-0 in favor of granting the conditional use permit, with one member was absent.

According to the meeting minutes provided by Lund to KJAN, there were 77 letters received in support of the conditional use permit. John Hartkopf and Steve Baier of the Cass County Board of Supervisors spoke in favor of Zion and addressed the County’s commitment to the success of Zion and the benefits of having it’s operations in Atlantic and Cass County.

An e-mail objecting to the application was received by Mike and Kathy Downey of 2700 Olive, was presented to the Board. Downey inquired as to the reason why this permit was being applied for now, and not prior to the purchase of the property. Laurie Cooley, representing Zion Recovery Services responded that information was brought to their attention regarding the definition of medical services by their counsel which prompted the application. A phone call was also received by Nick Pross of 2407 Olive objecting to the operation of Zion Recovery on the property, prior to the submission of the application. Pross cited concerns regarding property security and overall safety of the abutters. Becky Mills of 2800 Olive stated her objection was not on the value of mental health services, merely the location.

Other concerned neighbors addressed Board member Melissa Ihnen, with regard to the impact of Zion’s presence on their property values. She stated it would not have a negative impact, the neighbors however, did not agree. Laurie Cooley then addressed Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson, asking him about the history between local law enforcement and Zion. Erickson stated in his 24 years with the Atlantic Police Department, he could not recall problems with Zion.

Following closing of the public hearing, Board member Lloyd Munson asked about the possibility of Zion expanding services beyond their current scope. Cooley said their grant confines activities to the six counties they service. It does not allow another grant recipient to move intro the area and compete for patients nor does it allow Zion to seek patients outside of the six-county area. She went on to state the two highest issues of substance abuse in which Zion offers counseling are alcohol and marijuana.

Zoning Administrator John Lund said some in attendance at the meeting expressed their desire to write to Mayor Dave Jones asking for a review/repeal of the permit. Lund said he’s reviewing a section of Iowa Code to determine “how things move forward.”