Residents of Pradera, the golf course community in rural Douglas County, banded together for a cause.
Can you imagine a Drug Rehab Center in rural Douglas County tucked in between lovely suburban neighborhoods, ranches and horse properties? Well, I am happy to say that Pradera residents were instrumental in winning a major battle in front of the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). At issue was an application to convert a home and the 40 acres it sits on into a drug rehabilitation center.
Douglas County is the fastest growing Denver suburb but still mostly rural.
The property is immediately adjacent to Pradera homes with the proposed rehabilitation house itself situated less than 150 yards from the nearest Pradera residence. Needless to say, numerous residents within our community fought the application every step of the process which initially began in late spring.
The applicant is being foreclosed and the drug rehabilitation center was an attempt to do a short sale with the lender. This effort was also to save an adjoining 35-acre tract from being included in the foreclosure. The application process started with the seven members on the Planning Board.
After several hearings before the Board and strenuous protests on shortcomings of the application, the Board surprisingly recommended approval and passed the application on to the BOCC. The 250+ Pradera residents at each hearing were shocked by the approval but more resolved than ever to defeat this threat to our neighborhood.
With two months to prepare for the BOCC hearings and a better understanding of how the “system” works at the county level, various residents pitched in to delve deeply into critical issues where the application was vulnerable. The internet was invaluable and provided objectionable issues not even addressed by any of the parties during the Planning Board’s hearings. Each of the BOCC’s hearings was held with concerned Pradera residents packing the room. The tension was great when the final vote came as the stakes were high and Pradera’s lifestyle in jeopardy. Applause broke out when all three commissioners finally voted against the application, and it was officially denied
Pradera is a fantastic community and this experience has brought many of us closer together. We banded together as near strangers to protect our families, homes, neighborhood and lifestyle. Now we are stronger, more organized and resolved to protect this truly unique area we proudly call home — Pradera.
To be quite honest in my eyes this is an outrage, to stop the process of building a facility that is going to lend help to people that would be longing for it, is not only ungodly but also a sign that maybe there is something that you as Americans are afraid of… What? Help? This is the country where we can send our loved ones and children to other countries to lend a hand, but when it comes to our own people the idea of help goes out the window… How can you as Americans sit there and say that you are a god fearing community but when the idea comes up for a second chance you say “NO” to walk in the way is not only in the daylight but also in the night… meaning don’t half step be complete or nothing at all…
I dont either understand why would any one not want to have rehab centers ? This would be a big help to people in the city and help the nation.
http://www.serenitylife.net
It’s such an informative blog. But the reason why they want to disagree to have the drug rehab center is not indicated in the blog.
I think, it depends on the situation of the location where it will be build, however rehabilitation centers are big help for those people who are in-need of special care to overcome their bad condition, especially drug addiction. I’m looking forward for more details. Why did the residents of Pradera disagree to build a rehab in their place?
It depends in the most of who will need it. If Pradera is a place where most of people and in near places will benefit to have a rehab center, then it must be proceed. The people should think that to have a rehab center is to give a chance for those people who suffer drug addiction to be cured.