Detox home expansion denial appealed

Deirdre Newman

The owner of a sober living group home in the Hall of Fame

neighborhood is taking her quest to expand the number of clients she

can serve to the city’s top leaders.

Eleanor Manion, represented by attorney Eric Katz, has appealed to

the City Council the Planning Commission’s unanimous denial of

expanding the number of clients from six to eight at “Dove Cottage”

in the 3100 block of Cork Lane. The council will consider the issue

tonight.

The city is embroiled in a lawsuit against Manion for already

exceeding the number of clients she is allowed to have, and neighbors

have made numerous complaints about the trash and other unpleasant

items strewn on their lawns, allegedly from clients of the home.

The commission denied the request on Feb. 10, citing negative

effects from the current number of clients, numerous police and code

enforcement complaints and the lack of salient information provided

by Katz, who said he was hamstrung in divulging information because

of the lawsuit.

In correspondence with city officials, however, Katz claims that

allowing two extra clients in the home would benefit the clients and

the community at large by “providing additional opportunities for

persons to pursue their recovery in a supportive environment which

enhances their ability to maintain sobriety.”

Katz also asserts that it’s the city’s responsibility to provide

“reasonable accommodation” under the federal Fair Housing Act, which

bans discrimination against the handicapped. People recovering from

drug or alcohol addiction are considered handicapped under the act.

The group home first came to the city’s attention in July 2000

when the city received complaints that Manion was serving more than

the six residents she was allowed for the residential area.

In investigating the property, code enforcement officials

confirmed that more than six clients were living there. At that time,

the city filed a civil lawsuit against Manion for violating city

code. The case is expected to go to trial in June.

Manion then applied for the increase, asserting that having more

residents living in the house decreases the chance that one resident

could isolate himself or herself, which would be detrimental to

recovery. Manion also claimed that adding more residents would not

adversely affect the neighborhood.

At the Planning Commission meeting, 14 people spoke in opposition

to the request and only one person spoke supporting it.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].