HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-277-88 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT File # . j
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By-Law#t `
MEETING: General Purpose and Administration Committee
DATE: December 12,1988
REPORT #: PD-277-88 FILE #: -10.13.212
SUBJECT: GROUP HOMES
RECOMMENDATIONS:
(1) That :ds report., 'BPD-277-8:8, be received for information; and,
(2) That the Town Solicitor be authorized to explore the feasibility of halting these
matters through Civil Injunction.
BACKGROUND AND CONVUM:
There presently exists two situations involving "Group Homes" which are of some concern
to those persons residing in the immediate area of same.
Situation number one was brought to the attention of staff via petition from area
residents and involves a property located at Lot 19, Concession 5, in the former Township
of Clarke. The owners of said property, L & H Rest Homes Inc. , operate a Group Home/
Substance Abuse Clinic comprising 10 permanent residents who, it is understood, were
referred to the owners by Tbronto area Detox Centres. These persons receive daily
councelling and are then left to their own devices, which includes wandering the area, much
to the concern of area residents. Regional Police have been called on more than one
occasion for petty trespass occurrences.
The owners were sent a registered letter on November 1, 1988, explaining that said property
use contravened area zoning regulations. It was also requested that the use be terminated
not later than Monday, December 5, 1988.
Compliance was not met and as a result an information has been filed with the Court
charging the owners with unlawfully operating in violation of area Zoning Regulations.
They are to appear in Court, initially, on January 17, 1989. A rezoning application has
been filed by this party. N
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G.P.A. (cont'd) .. - 2 - December 12, 1988
The second situation was brought to our attention by Mr. Irwin Hamilton and involves
a property located at 106 Church Street, Bowmanville.
"Careview Manor Special Care Rest Home Inc." is owned by one Vera Forrest and, it is
understood, was operated as a licensed nursing home approximately 10 years previous,
a permitted use under our current Zoning By-law as well as its predecessor. Ms. Forrest
continues, without a license, to house some 30 residents in what can only be described
as a Group Home setting. These persons are turned out after breakfast to wander the
streets until dinner, again to the concern of area residents and merchants. Ms. Forrest
was sent a registered letter on November 28, 1988, explaining that she was operating
illegally and requesting the property be brought into compliance not later than
Monday, January 2, 1989.
In conclusion, staff have some serious concerns regarding these operations, most notably
the lack of supervision. Further to this, it is suspected that most, if not all,
residents at both locations are currently on some form of medication and have been for
some time. Given the number of legitimate concerns and the time consuming process
of having these matters satisfied at the Provincial Court level, it is the reconanendation
of staff that the feasibility of a Civil Injunction be discussed with the Town Solicitor.
Respectf s tted, Reco�nded for Presentation to the
Znce e
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Brian P Irwin By-law &hforcement Officer otseff, C.A.O.
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Fr lin Wu, Director of Planning & Development
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