CITY OF DAPHNE  BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL  Chairwoman called to order the regular meeting of the Board of Zoning Adjustment at 6:00 p.m. Roll was called and the number of  members present constituted a quorum.  Members Present: Clay Covert Derek Wolstenholme Audra Harper Donald Burton, Jr. Carolyn Courson, Chairwoman Members Absent: Tasha Quinnelly Herb Cole Staff Present:  Adrienne D. Jones, Director of Community Development  Pat Johnson, Recording Secretary Shawn Alves, BZA Attorney  Chairwoman asked for input regarding the December 7, 2023 minutes presented by staff. There being none, minutes stand approved as Chairwoman called for the next order of business: a request for a Special Exception as presented on the meeting agenda. A presentation of the report packet was given and recommended by the Director regarding application #2024-01, AltaPointe Health seeking approval of a Special Exception to authorize AltaPointe Health to operate a school for approximately 150 students for the Baldwin County Board of Education on 22.39 acres at 7400 Roper Lane, which is zoned R-3, High Density Single Family Residential, along with all contiguous parcels. Her recommendation along with the Building Official and the City Engineer was favorable, although the Engineer cited areas to be rectified during the site Chairwoman called for questions from the Board. There were none. The Chairwoman opened the floor for the public hearing and called Jarrett Crum, Chief Hospital Officer for AltaPointe spoke seeking approval to expand the existing 82-bed psychiatric facility with a 12-bed, in-patient child adolescent psychiatric center, as well as, a school to accommodate approximately 150 students in collaboration with the Baldwin County Board of Education. He cited the expansion would be separate from the existing 82-bed  submitted.  plan process if approved.  for those in support of the appeal.  facility.    CITY OF DAPHNE  BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL  Since there are no local in-patient child adolescent treatment facilities many are forced to travel as far as Montgomery for treatment. Therefore, after being approached by many individuals in the community, AltaPointe is pursuing approval to provide care for these adolescents because bed avallability is limited in this  area.  Chairwoman called for questions from the Board. The Board presented several questions:  were other locations  sought, why here; ages of the students; students' mode of transportation; vegetation; the number of employees, relative ratio of the acreage; determination of which student selection; security, fencing and buffer vegetation; the average length of Mr. Crum responded this site was preferred because of the existing staff such as psychiatric support services, janitorial, cafeteria and security already in place on this central location. Seeking another location would not be cost effective. In-patient treatment will be for ages 5 to 21, and school-age children will be from kindergarten to high school, which can be up to age 21. The 12-bed expansion will be for in-patient children admitted overnight therefore, care will be given around the clock to them. The school component will be children bused in from local Baldwin County Board of Education District schools, none driving, for a regular school schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. time frame. On site there will be a teacher and two behavioral aides per classroom, principals, a school nurse, coordinators, other school employees and security. A significant amount of vegetation The Board presented several questions regarding the difference between a previous 2008 request and tonight's request, and who would pay for the cost of the turn lane for this project; current facility acreage and what percentage of the 22.39 acreage is the expansion; and whether the landscaping vegetation will remain or Mr. Alves stated 2008 was for a different use, which you can use to weigh in on tonight's request or you do not have to take it into consideration, rather focus on the merits of the information presented at this time whether it is pertinent to what is asked Mrs. Jones stated all costs associated with the development would Mr. Crum stated based on my discussion with the Architect the expansion is a little smaller than the existing building. It will be single story, but in conjunction with what is there.  stay; and, public health certification process.  exists.  be removed.  for like the location and the surroundings.  be that of the developer.  2    CITY OF DAPHNE  BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL  The gym may be slightly taller, but architecturally consistent. I am not 100 percent certain of that though about the landscaping Jonathan McGehee, S.E. Civil, stated there will be a vegetative buffer along the boundary line and anything that is removed will have to be replaced with something likewise or greater. The Board presented several more questions concerning the events; will all students be Baldwin County residents; what is the fencing and vegetation layout for neighbors' safety; will this be a locked down facility and who will determine which students are admitted; average length of stayi total completion Mr. Crum confirmed there would be no sporting team events, but we will have outdoor recess time with playground space for the children to be able to run, stretch their legs and burn off some of their energy between classes similar to regular school. The goal of our school will be to help children with mental illness stabilize their mental or behavioral issues sO they can return to regular school and resume their day-to-day activities. These children are identified by the school system as exhibiting behavior issues associated with a psychiatric illness who is distracting others who are actually learning which causes them to struggle and compound their issues. Our goal is to help students regain stabilization and Functionality so they can receive an education after treatment to the point that they can be successful, which is what we do at our facility in Mobile, but all 150 of these students will be Baldwin County residents. The area behind the gym will have a steady wood line buffer along with the existing 8-foot fence, and yes there have been a few incidents, but we will make sure that there are not any openings in the fencing. Our goal is to treat the children's mental health illnesses and integrate them back into the school system, and they should not be deemed a threat because they are living in our communities already. We are mindful of safety and providing a safe setting for all of the neighbors. Yes, we will be a mag locked door, visual camera monitored secured facility, with a security department. The evaluation process to determine if a child meets the criteria to enter their program will be modeled after the processed used in Mobile by the school and the Department of Mental Health. The students are stabilized and released. The average length of stay depends on the severity of their mental illness. Our date of completion may be anywhere from 1 to 2 years because we have to obtain a memo of understanding with the BOE, public health certifications, contracts, hiring and training of staff, BOE teachers and principals by us, but BOE  vegetation, some of it may have to be moved.  following:  will the school have sporting teams and athletic  length; and class size.  will pay them.  3    CITY OF DAPHNE  BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL  Classes are similar to regular school with the same curriculum with class sizes of 12 to 15 students all with controlled access. The Board presented several more questions regarding the number of students currently served in Mobile; justification for the Mr. Crum stated we are treating about 75 students in Mobile. We requested 150 to expand for potential future long-term growth after collaboration with BOE, and there is a small school Mrs. Jones about the certificate of need process and  number of students and current placement.  currently in Fairhope off U.S. Highway 98.  measures  security  to protect the youth.  Mr. Crum stated it is when we present our need before the Schick they as a board determine whether a number of beds is a valid need for approval by the Governor who solidifies it with certification for a total number of beds added for the entire state. We made application for 12 beds barring no objections on January 17th we move to the next step. Additionally, he explained The final question from the Board was regarding the use of stun Mr. Crum stated State regulations do not allow electric fencing or stun guns. We use holding techniques, medications and seclusion rooms if a patient has an episode because we want them The Chairwoman called for those in opposition, followed Bob Brunson, 117 Willowbrook Circle, expressed opposition about property values decreasing, safety of his mother, personal harassment by law enforcement when a patient wonders off. Sid Odom, 7275 Pinehill Road expressed opposition about issues with patients wondering through yards, emergency response noise Twanna Odom, 7227 Pinehill Road expressed opposition about emergency response noise, traffic and safety concerns for the elderly, patients being imported from Mobile several times a week by van with a heavy Mobile County Sheriff presence, and who would Roy Sawyer, 105 Buena Vista, expressed safety concerns about pat noise, and patients walking through his yard, but understood the  the security measures to keep youth safe.  guns and electrically charged security fencing.  to be safe. rebuttal.  by  24/7, and traffic on his brother's behalf.  pay for street improvements and infrastructure.  need for the facility.  4    CITY OF DAPHNE  BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL traffic and noise.  Matt McDonald, expressed opposition concerns about speeding Josephine Jackson, 28201 8th Avenue, expressed opposition about heavy traffic, a secure facility and she asked for consideration for the longtime residents by making the fence tall enough to The Chairwoman closed the floor to the public hearing and offered Mr. Crum stated I have heard your concerns and assure you we will address the fencing and buffer to help with security. Heavy traffic is an existing problem everywhere because of growth in the area. Also, some of these type patients are in our communities already, which might be more of a danger than them being in treatment getting help. There is a great need for the Mr. Covert questioned the use of electrically charged devices and electronic fencing and expressed concern regarding the existing security measures in place and the existing impact on the  keep patients in.  the opportunity for rebuttal.  type of help we provide.  neignbornood.  The Chairwoman called for discussion from the Board.  The Board discussed adding a contingency about the fencing height. Hearing no further comments from the Board, the Chairwoman called for an affirmatively stated motion. AI Motion was made by Mr. Wolstenholme and Seconded by Mrs. Harper to approve Appeal #2024-01, AltaPointe Health, request for a Special Exception to authorize AltaPointe Health to operate a school for approximately 150 students for the Baldwin County Board of Education on 22.39 acres at 7400 Roper Lane contingent upon installing a 10 foot tall fence around the entire perimeter Upon roll call vote, the Motion failed due to lack of a  of the property supermajority vote. Mr. Covert Mr. Wolstenholme Mrs. Harper Mr. Burton Mrs. Courson  Nay Aye Aye Nay Aye  The Chairwoman stated the motion failed. You may go by the office of Community Development around 9:00 a.m. in the morning to pick  up your paperwork.  5    CITY OF DAPHNE  BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL  There being no other business Chairwoman called for a Motion to A Motion was made by Mr. Wolstenholme and Seconded by Mrs. Harper  Adjourn.  to adjourn. There was no discussion of the motion.  The Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Cat Jehnsan Pat Johnson, Recording Secretary APPROVED: February 1, 2024  Caunses  Carolyn us  Chairwoman  6