CURWENSVILLE – Time is ticking away for Discovery House in Pike Township, and as of July 17, the methadone treatment facility’s temporary permit will expire. On that date, the temporary trailers in use since the permanent structure was destroyed by arsonists in January, will be unsuitable for use.
As for the Pike Township Supervisors, they said their role in the matter is negligible.
Dave Kephart, supervisor, said at Wednesday night’s meeting that an application for a permit to make the trailers permanent structures was turned over to the Clearfield County Planning Commission.
Before the paperwork was shipped off, the supervisors noted on the documents that the structure was in violation of Act 10, something the planning commission decided at their June meeting because of the facility’s proximity to Rails to Trails.
Coincidentially, the next meeting of the planning commission is also July 17, and the permit could be considered for approval at that meeting.
Kephart said, though, that Discovery House could file an appeal, possibly lengthening the amount of time they have to temporarily use the trailers. Another option would be for the center to apply for a permit to rebuild the structure that was set on fire.
Discovery House has not been able to use their original facility since January after arsonists damaged the building. No arrests have been made in the investigation. (Dawn Walls)
Some citizens at Wednesday’s meeting argued that zoning would protect the township from future centers like Discovery House.
However, the supervisors warned them that zoning laws within a municipality must allow for every type of land use.
“It needs to be someplace safe,” said Pike Township resident Trudy Ensminger.
Kephart said Pike is large as far as townships go, and even he isn’t sure that zoning would have been able to keep Discovery House from building within the township.
Pat Morgan, also a supervisor, said the board is not necessarily against Discovery House and cannot take a stance in the matter, but he did say that the center is breaking the law because it is located so close to Rails to Trails.
All of the supervisors said it is still a bit premature to discuss any possible lawsuits that could come out of the matter, and Kephart said available money would be a factor in fighting as large a company as Discovery House.
“Money shouldn’t be able to dictate what’s right and wrong,” said Dave Walker, Pike Township resident.
“It’s time for a small community like this to fight back.”