New drug rehab, detox center planned for Perry Township

PERRY TWP. – A new health center is planned for the northwest sector of Perry Township that aims to assist men with drug and alcohol dependency.

The Perry Zoning Board recently granted a conditional use zoning permit for the owners of Sprenger Heath Care Systems, which is planning to repurpose two existing buildings and open the Silver Maple Recovery in late spring.

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An assisted living facility, or nursing home, is to be converted into an inpatient drug and alcohol detox and rehab center. The new campus will consist of two side-by-side buildings at 205 and 207 Rohr Ave. NW, housing about 40 clients, according to Amy Sanfilippo, vice president of Acquisitions and Development for Sprenger Health Care.

Silver Maple also operates an addiction treatment center in Lorain.

Perry Zoning Inspector Jeff Whytsell said remodeling work at the site may take up to a year to complete. New staff are to be transitioned into the business following the building upgrades.

Building improvements will consist of "finishing work" and "new furniture pieces," Sanfilippo added.

A nearby resident to the planned Silver Maple drug and rehab facility said there are some security, maintenance and safety concerns among neighbors related to the future clientele at Silver Maple, as well as a possible drop in their home value. The resident did not want to be named publicly.

Whytsell said about a half-dozen township residents attended last week's Perry zoning meeting, as two people spoke out against the new facility. Concerns were raised about the upkeep of the buildings and how new clients will be monitored.

Silver Maple will have 24-hour, on-site staffing and around-the-clock video camera surveillance to help ensure community safety, Sanfilippo said. There will be 40 workers employed at the new facility.

Residents were also concerned about increased traffic on Rohr Avenue, said Whytsell, noting that Sprenger is required to adequately maintain the property and assure clients are properly monitored per the conditional permit.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE