Delay Sought in Proposed Woodward Drug Rehab Center

DUNNSTOWN — Some 50 Woodward Township residents spent nearly two hours at the Dunnstown Fire Hall Thursday night discussing a proposed drug/alcohol abuse center for adolescents.

Township supervisor Kyle Coleman called the meeting and at its conclusion said “the best thing would be to push back” a scheduled zoning hearing board meeting on a needed rezoning request from Dr. Robert C. Wise Sr. Wise’s son Robert Wise Jr. (photo above) made a presentation relative to the proposed 90-day treatment facility for adolescents aged 13 to 17. The facility would be constructed on a Wise-owned 100-acre site just off Route 664. He said there would be no “inner-city kids” brought to the facility.

A number of abutting property owners attended the hearing and expressed concern about what they said would be lowered property values in an area presently zoned residential. They said project backers need to provide more information so an informed decision can be made. Speakers included nearby resident Jack Davis who said the facility could prove to be a “risk to the community and people who live close by.”

Both Davis and Coleman suggested to Wise the zoning hearing board meeting be postponed from its scheduled Feb. 9 date. Coleman said the staging of such a hearing costs the township $400. He said, “Everyone agrees it’s a good idea, but at what cost.” After the meeting Wise said he would consider the delay request and make a decision as soon as Friday.