County to rehear drug rehab proposal

The dozens of residents unhappy with last month's decision by planning and zoning commissioners to approve the expansion of a drug rehabilitation center in their neighborhood will once again get the chance to air their concerns.

County commissioners on Tuesday approved a motion by board member Rose Rocco to bring the matter back at their May 12 meeting.

Rocco said she heard from several residents of Forest Oaks and Timber Pines who objected to having the facility so close to their home.

Last month, residents who live near the proposed rehab center, to be located off Cessna Drive in Spring Hill, told P&Z members they feared an outbreak of robberies, mail theft and increased drug activity from the patients being treated for alcohol and drug addiction.

However, planning and zoning commissioners voted 5-0 to recommend granting the developer of Suncoast Rehabilitation Center a special exception use permit to add three new buildings on the 3-acre site, two of which would be patient dormitories.