State legislators meet with health department about Holmesburg methadone clinic

From the office of State Rep. Kevin Boyle:

State Reps. Kevin Boyle, Mike McGeehan, and State Sen. Mike Stack’s office held a meeting in Harrisburg Wednesday with the Department of Health to discuss the application for a narcotics distribution permit from Healing Way LLC.  The three expressed the Holmesburg and Mayfair community’s outrage over the prospect of the new facility planned for the 7900-block of Frankford Ave.

“Just yesterday, I stood with 300 people willing to endure 90+ degree temperatures for over an hour to oppose this facility” said Representative Boyle.  “Healing Way is attempting to slip under the radar, by failing to meet with any community groups or local elected officials about their planned facility.”

Among Boyle’s concerns is the lack of on-site parking available for the facility which is located on the heavily trafficked Frankford Avenue.  “After these clinics become fully operational, it is fully possible that they could serve as many as 600 to 700 patients daily. Under the C2 zoning classification, Healing Way must provide ample parking for its facility. They will be unable to do this, thus they will be in violation of the C2 zoning provision”, said Representative Boyle.

The state legislators were assured by the Health Department that a formal decision was “highly unlikely” to be made any time before the scheduled August 31st zoning appeal.  This will allow for the community to finally have its voice heard at the city zoning appeal.

“The community must have input into this process”, said Stack.  “Trying to blindside them with methadone clinic is the wrong approach.  There are significant issues such as parking and the impact on residential and business development that need to be addressed.  When you look at the facts, it is clear that 7900 Frankford Ave. is not a good location for a methadone clinic.”