The Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals will consider allowing a nonprofit organization to open an addictions treatment and recovery facility in downtown Columbus for pregnant women and women with children.
The Volunteers of America of Indiana is seeking a conditional use for the property at 703 Washington St. at the former Columbus Post Office building. The case will go before the BZA for consideration during its 6:30 p.m. meeting today at Columbus City Hall.
Under the proposal, the 22,500-square-foot building would be used as an in-residence addiction treatment facility and would include 17 bedrooms, kitchen and laundry room space, in addition to common living and meeting room areas, according to the application filed with the city.
The facility would house up to 23 women and would be staffed by at least two people at all times — with as many as 10 staff members during the day, the application said. The free program, formally known as the Fresh Start Recovery Center, does not require insurance coverage and started in 2015.
Pregnant women who are admitted into the program are allowed to have one of their children ages 5 and under live with them during their treatment, a two-phase approach, according to information filed by the Volunteers of America of Indiana in its application.
The first phase involves residential treatment for up to four months that involves four hours of treatment daily, pre- and post-natal support, drug screens, case management and other assistance.
The second phase involves home-based family coach services for up to a year that involves parenting support, coping skills to prevent relapse, education about neonatal abstinence syndrome and the needs of a baby, according to the nonprofit.
The city has recommended approval of the application with one condition that existing building signage be removed. In 2008, the site had been approved for efficiency apartments and offices, which was a permitted use in the zoning district at the time, according to the planning department.
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What: Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals
When: 6:30 p.m. today
Where: Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington St.
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