A sharply divided Castle Rock Town Council advanced a proposal to locate a young adult mental health facility in Metzler Ranch.
The council is expected to give the rezoning proposal a final vote on Sept. 3.
During the initial discussion on Aug. 20, the council voted, 4-3, to rezone a section of the Metzler Ranch Community neighborhood to allow the Sandstone Care facility, which would treat teens between the ages of 13 and 17.
Last week’s vote on the treatment center drew pushback by Metzler Ranch residents and proved more controversial than the town's first sales tax increase since 2011. In the case of the tax increase, the vote was unanimous.
Founded in Denver in 2015, Sandstone Care operates in 25 locations nationwide, including nine in Colorado. The provider serves young adults battling mental health issues with residential treatment, outpatient services, and transitional living.
If approved, the young adult mental health facility would be housed at 864 Barranca Dr. Currently left unused, the building was a former home health care service for people over 60.
Sandstone officials insisted the existing care center is well-suited to provide voluntary care for teenagers needing mental health care.
As proposed, the facility will provide “medical, clinic, nursing care for mild to moderate mental health conditions” for the young adult age group. The facility will treat anxiety, mild to moderate depression, difficulty concentrating, low energy, loss of appetite or a combination of all.
Depending on one's condition, a patient could live in the Sandstone Care Center between 45 to 60 days.
Some care would be prohibited, including outpatient care and treatment of severe mental health conditions, drug or alcohol abuse, and court-ordered or criminal patients, according to Sandstone officials.
Directly west of the proposed mental health clinic is a neighborhood across Stampede Drive. To the north is a commercial-use area with a preschool, a medical center, fast-food restaurants, and small businesses.
Sandstone officials said the care facility will be secured with cameras, 24/7 staff, and a wristband system for patients.
During last week's meeting, some residents expressed fear that patients would escape, hide in the neighborhoods, or commit crimes.
“I don’t see it being harmonious for the community,” one Metzler Ranch resident. “These are borderline adults that need to take responsible action, so let's not treat them like children.”
“I think we all agree this is a huge need in our community,” said Councilmember Ryan Hollingshead, who is also the principal at Ponderosa High School. "Certainly, the fear of it being in a neighborhood is what we are discussing.”
In supporting the measure, Hollingshead said, “These kids have a conversation with their support to go to a place like this. These aren’t the kids that are looking to cause trouble.”
Also voicing support was Councilmember Kevin Bracken.
“I wish this facility was around when my kid was going through that because it was freakin’ hard," he said. "This is a very real experience for kids.”
Not all on the council agreed with the proposed location.
“This is an extremely difficult decision,” said Councilmember Laura Cavey, who voted against it. “It’s not because we don’t want to help children, or I don’t want to help children. It’s the location.”
Mayor Pro Tem Desiree LaFleur also called it a tough situation.
“Unfortunately, when the facility was built, the homes and the facilities around it were under a certain understanding, and now that is being asked to be changed," she said. "And, the neighbors are clearly having a hard time.”
Councilmember Tim Dietz also balked at the proposed location and voted against the proposal.
Mayor Jason Gray backed the proposal.
“I believe this is something that is needed in our community,” the mayor said. “I’ve had friends, and relatives, who have lost children, and I just don’t think I can sit by and say no to helping our community.”
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