Orono residents continue to be in vocal opposition of an eating disorder clinic opening at the former Hill School.
Late last week, Dirk Miller, founder and executive director of The Emily Program, said that he was pressured to withdraw his application from the city.
The pressure came after Gregg Steinhafel, CEO of Target who lives near the proposed location, retained an attorney from Faegre and Benson law firm.
City Attorney Soren Mattick said he was contacted by Walter Rockenstein, a partner with Faegre and Benson concentrating in zoning and land use law, who said that he was representing Steinhafel.
Mattick said the attorney was "gathering information" about the application and said that he received no threat of legal action.
"At this time, I seek to understand the long term implications of granting The Emily Program a conditional use permit vs. an interim use permit that other cities have used successfully," stated Steinhafel.
The news of Rockenstein being hired and the pressure to withdraw his application has Miller upset.
"I am shocked that the CEO of Target is that determined not to have people with eating disorders in his neighborhood. I am shocked that the CEO of Target is that unsympathetic. I'm beyond belief shocked," said Miller.
Officials from The Emily Program asked the city for a conditional use permit (CUP) and variances to operate a 10-bed, inpatient eating disorder treatment facility within the former Hill School, at 2180 North Shore Drive.
The City Council first discussed the issue at its Feb. 8 meeting, and it was later discussed at a Planning Commission meeting and a Feb. 17 neighborhood meeting.
With signs stating "NO clinic" residents filled council chambers Feb. 22. Even after additional chairs were brought in, it was standing room only.
Steinhafel spoke at the meeting, stating that neighbors didn't receive due notice and due diligence was not complete.
"The Emily Program has no place at the Hill School," said Steinhafel, which drew applause from the audience.
Concerns about traffic, fire hazards, emergency vehicles and property values were oft-repeated reasons why the residents stated the council should deny the request.
Many of the residents who spoke said they supported the mission of The Emily Program, but the location in a primarily residential area was inappropriate.
Miller took issue with residents who said they supported the mission.
"I don't hear that and I don't feel that," said Miller. "I hear it as a not in my backyard issue."
Aaron Printup prefaced his comments about the proposal by stating he is fiercely loyal to the community.
"People with eating disorders are mentally ill," said Printup, adding that the facility should be closer to a hospital.
"I don't want any chance of them harming my 15- month-old baby," said Printup. "We live here. We know what is best."
Mike Maddie gave a PowerPoint presentation that included information about calls to police from other Emily Program facilities and a survey that showed 97 percent of neighbors oppose the facility at the proposed location.
He suggested The Emily Program find another location in Orono.
"Orono is a big area," said Maddie. "We could find a better location."
Sam Marfield used a box covered in images of the Hill School with fake flames coming out of the top to demonstrate he was concerned about the building being a fire hazard.
He also said he was concerned about his property values.
"I don't want my property value to go down. We don't want to take a chance of it happening," said Marfield.
The neighborhood reaction isn't one Miller has encountered before.
"It never occurred to me people could be so afraid of people with eating disorders," said Miller.
"Some of the concerns are irrational fears," said Miller. "At some point logic can't address irrational fears."
The Emily Program, which was founded in 1993, works with patients dealing with anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders.
The program has about 2,500 active patients. Generally, a client attends inpatient treatment for four to six months.
"We've been in this business longer than anyone," said Miller.
The Emily Program was expected to buy the Hill School for $875,000 and once improvements were made, it would have been a $2 million investment, according to Miller.
At the meeting last week, Steve Byrnes, an Orono resident, thanked Miller for his work. "He saved my sister's life," Byrnes said.
"People who seek help for treatment are not bad people," said Byrnes. "I can't sit here and listen to these cries of hysteria."
After the meeting, Byrnes said that he thinks many of his well-intentioned neighbors are misinformed about eating disorders.
"You wouldn't treat a neighbor with a broken leg like this," said Byrnes.
Byrnes' sister, who was treated at The Emily Program, told the residents that people with eating disorders should not have to seek treatment in places hidden from view.
"I'm like everyone of you," said Stephanie Byrnes.
CUP vs. IUP
Residents also are worried about what would happen if The Emily Program vacated the building.
Mattick, Orono's city attorney, said that cities aren't allowed to put sunset provisions on a conditional use permit (CUP).
The Emily Program voluntarily agreed to withdraw its CUP if it stopped using the building.
Mattick said that was the best option the council had at this time, but added, "It hasn't been tested in courts."
He preferred the council use an interim use permit (IUP), but city code doesn't allow for them.
While a CUP goes with the land, an IUP goes with the use.
The code could be amended to allow for an IUP, but it would take time.
Tabled until March 8
Ultimately, the council voted to table the issue at its Feb. 22 to the meeting on March 8.
Mayor Jim White didn't attend the Feb. 22 meeting because he was ill, and council members wanted more information.
"There are a few more stones I'd live to uncover," said Council Member Cynthia Bremer.
But most agreed that they wouldn't be able to answer all of the "what ifs."
"One of the things I hoped was that we could some how get educated and sort fact from fiction," said Council Member Jim Murphy. "I don't know if anyone will answer all the hypotheticals."
Pressure to withdraw
Miller said he received pressure from Mayor White to withdraw his application.
White said information he's learned in the last few weeks changed his mind on the application, which he had said he'd approve a few weeks ago.
"I can't adequately give assurances to the community that this wouldn't turn into something different," said White, who said he didn't think there were enough votes on the council to approve the CUP.
"There are legitimate land use concerns," said White.
Even before being pressured to withdraw his request, Miller had reservations about moving into the Orono location if the council granted approval.
Miller said that while he's certain the clients attending The Emily Program would not harm residents like they fear, "We're not so sure the reverse isn't true."
Miller remains uncertain about his next step. "We're going to take some time to think about it," said Miller.
Meanwhile, Steve Byrnes said he is outraged that a neighbor would hire attorney to fight an eating disorder clinic. He's even more upset that the mayor would pressure Miller to withdraw his application.
"Stand and vote," said Byrnes.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Article comment by:
Sam Smugg
If the good people of Orono elected these folks to represent them, and if 90% of them oppose this facility and if it is true that this facility will serve the local community, I recommend Emily House pack their bags and move on.
It is, of course, a little sad that these ignorant, backward uninformed, self-righteous, fear mongering people would prefer to live in the dark ages. Even sadder is the fact that it's their own daughters who will die. So congratulations Orono, you're killing your children. I wonder if the teen death rate in a community affects property values.
Posted: Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Article comment by:
Jay Humsey
I wonder how Gregg Steinhafel or Mike Maddie or one of the other residents in opposition to this would feel if one of their children had an eating disorder. Would they feel their child would pose a threat to children in the neighborhood of the clinic they utilized? Seriously, this kind of attitude makes me GLAD these people in Orono are not my neighbors--obviously they are quite materialistic and shallow.
Posted: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Article comment by:
Amy Foley
I have never been ashamed to call Orono my home town, but now I am. I CANNOT believe this article is from this century. Would people be just as afraid if a Cancer treatment center was being housed there? IT'S THE SAME PRINCIPLE! I hope every citizen in Orono stands up vote these ignorant people out of office. I hope a tv station picks this up so everyone could boycott Target!!!
Posted: Monday, March 08, 2010
Article comment by:
BH
For those of you who say, "not in my backyard"...do you know of a 16-year old joyful girl--a straight 'A' student talented in dance, snowboarding, and violin who enjoys a stable family with educated parents married over 25 years, a beautiful home, and a top high school? She may be your neighbor, your babysitter, the girl who sells raffle tickets for her softball team. You have girls like this in your neighborhood. This is my daughter--a girl who, in an instant experienced a traumatic event that triggered an eating disorder. We never saw it coming and once we sought treatment, we were awestruck at the number of people from your schools and ours who are dealing with this. For those of you not wanting eating disorder patients in your community--just know that they are already living amongst you. Ask any middle-high school student whether they are aware of students with eating disorders and you will find it to be true. Yes, they are going to school with your kids--and, they do not hurt children nor do they attack babies. These patients will come from your community and the surrounding area--this problem is already in your backyard. These are your neighbors and their family members. They do not bother with you or your property--they come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and genders. Programs like the Emily program save lives just as any other medical facility. This Orono community needs to recognize their pure prejudice and ignorance in opposing this facility. This site was a school--the community will experience no more traffic inconvenience than a school would produce and, as for a fire hazard, I'm sure that inspectors will do their jobs to ensure the safety of this facility. As for property values, a residence medical facility is rarely cause for reduced values. The real question here is, "What are your values?" The tough question is, will this city council surrender to selfish, irrational ignorance or will it do what is right and enable a facility that heals people, many of whom are the silent patients in your own and the surrounding community?
Posted: Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Article comment by:
HV
As a client at The Emily Program, I have just realized (for the first time) the perceptions that others hold of those who have an eating disorder. I, as well as others at The Emily Program, are well educated individuals who happen to struggle with an eating disorder. Often you may find that we are more sensitive to others' needs and would never want to hurt another individual. I would encourage opponents to take a moment to learn more about eating disorders before passing judgment on the matter.
