NEW GLOUCESTER — Day One of South Portland received unanimous approval Tuesday from the Planning Board to open a 12-bed, residential substance abuse treatment facility.

The former home and law office at 934 Intervale Road will serve males between ages 14 and 20, and replace a similar facility in Hollis.

The decision followed months of deliberations, public hearings, administrative appeals and Zoning Board of Appeals rulings.

Day One is a nonprofit agency that provides substance abuse treatment and prevention services for Maine youth. It operates three residential treatment facilities, in Buxton, Hollis and Hinckley.

Based on Code Enforcement Officer Debra Parks Larravee’s ruling, the board deemed the application met all criteria for approval.

Neighbors opposed to facility voiced strong opposition following the board’s decision.

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Michael Reynolds-Sekunda faulted the board for “cherry-picking” the zoning ordinance.

“It doesn’t meet the zoning ordinance,” he said.

Reynolds-Sekunda was among three residents who filed an administrative appeal of the Code Enforcement Officer’s ruling. After the Zoning Board of Appeals ruled in favor of the code enforcement officer, Reynolds-Sekunda filed a second administrative appeal with the board, which denied his request last week, saying it included no new information.

On June 5, the Planning Board will review and is expected to sign the findings of fact documents, according to Town Planner Scott Hastings.

Further appeals by the public must be filed at Cumberland County Superior Court within 35 days of Planning Board approval.

 

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