A Google Map image showing the area.
SEYMOUR — About 75 people attended a meeting last week about whether to add “community mental health residential living center” to the town’s zoning language.
If approved, the language would enable Newport Healthcare to submit plans for a residential treatment facility at the current site of Villa Bianca, a wedding and banquet hall at 312 Roosevelt Drive. Villa Bianca has not returned multiple calls for comment from The Valley Indy.
Newport Healthcare is a private business specializing in treating teens and young adults who have mental health issues.
About 18 people spoke against the idea during a roughly two-hour Jan. 12 public hearing in front of the Seymour Planning and Zoning Commission at Seymour Town Hall. About six people spoke in favor.
The commission did not vote on whether to add the language to the town’s “RC‑3 (recreational/commercial) zone. Instead, the public hearing will be continued at a meeting to be scheduled in February.
However, the commission members said only officials from Newport Healthcare will be able to speak at the next public hearing. Members of the public are being told to email comments to [email protected].
The town’s current zoning regulations do not allow residential mental health facilities in an RC‑3 zone.
Newport Healthcare is under contract to purchase both the Villa Bianca property at 312 Roosevelt Drive as well as property at 129 Squantuck Road, both which are located in the RC‑3 zone. Villa Bianca is still open.
Newport Healthcare CEO Joe Procopio said the treatment group began in Newport Beach, Cali. in 2008. It has facilities in 11 states treating adolescents and young adults with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
Newport has three facilities in Connecticut: Bethlehem, Darien and Fairfield.
The public hearing last week was only about whether to add phrases to zoning. It was not a site-plan application review, which details things such as traffic impact and what the facility will look like.
However, Procopio said the Seymour facility would have 40 beds and 125 employees. Newport has facilities for both males and females. Clients would not be permitted to have cars. The staff would consist of doctors, nurses, therapists, psychiatrists, care coordinators, teachers and nutritionists.
Mental Health Crisis
Procopio said mental health issues have been on the rise for the last decade and has seen a major uptick during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said about two-thirds of Newport’s clients are typically teenage girls, around age 17, suffering from depression, anxiety and trauma. Other clients, about 3 percent, are treated for substance abuse, Procopio said.
He cited how a 2022 survey by the Connecticut Department of Health of showing that about 70 percent on state high school students reported their mental health was “not good” in the prio month, with another 13 percent saying they had suicidal thoughts.
Procopio said last week he fielded inquiries from 80 potential clients seeking treatment in the Connecticut facilities — with only three available beds. Procopio said the demand is greater than what the existing facilities can handle. Adding the Seymour facility would help.
“We’re in the midst of a mental health crisis in our country. We will help people get better, and we’d like to be part of the solution,” he said.
Support
Julia Leslie, 20, of Brookfield, told the Seymour P&Z that Newport Healthcare helped her deal with suicidal thoughts at the age of 16.
“I lost a friend to suicide and lost a cousin to an overdose, and three years ago that could’ve been me, with my family putting flowers on my casket,” she said. “I gave up on myself. Newport reached out a hand and helped pull me out. I felt seen. I felt human again. I didn’t dream of a life after age 16. Newport gave me a chance to live life again.”
Julia’s mom, Dorina Leslie, said Newport Healthcare was her family’s saving grace.
“Newport saved my daughter’s life,” Leslie said. “It’s a beautiful facility that is so heart-centered and so needed; please think of how many lives you can save.”
Two Seymour residents were among the roughly six people urging the commission to allow the language to be added to the zoning.
“We all have to admit there’s a need for these services, but I’m sure you all don’t want it in your backyards,” said resident Maryann Robinson. “But Seymour needs to step up and take care of its residents.”
Jesus Perez said he moved to Seymour because he saw it as a good place to raise his family. He encouraged others to open their minds and allow Newport to be a safe haven for kids suffering from mental health issues.
Opposition
The majority of those who attended last week’s meeting were from the Roosevelt Drive area. Many prefaced their comments by saying that while they’re not opposed to mental health services, they questioned whether the property is the right location.
Resident Joe Stochmal cited concerns for residents leaving the facility at will.
“I don’t think it’s an appropriate area, especially with a high school close by, and if residents (of the facility) do sneak out, and they’re in a poor state of mental health, they could wander into backyards,” Stochmal said. “There’s a bar right next door. There’s a lot of traffic, and then there’s the water. If someone is in a state of high anxiety, the river is an easy out.”
Resident Sebastian Polanski said he lived near a similar facility in Woodbury and moved to the rural neighborhood in Seymour to escape the constant noise and distraction.
“Almost every other day, around 3 a.m., there were cops, ambulances and flashing lights, so we were forced to sell our house,” he said.
Polanski’s mom, Margaret, works at Yale in New Haven and said additional traffic in recent years along Roosevelt Drive (also known as state Route 34) has become a nightmare, forcing her to change her work shift.
“It took me 10 to 15 minutes just to get out onto Route 34,” she said. “I love your idea for more mental health services, just not in this spot.”
Joan Firmender, a registered nurse, presented the commission with a petition containing 128 signatures against the zone-text amendment, citing concerns of noise, a potential decline in property values, and increased traffic on an already congested Route 34. She cited similar concerns for residents’ safety.
Darchell Wilson said the use does not fit the area.
“I am not against Newport at all, I’m just against you coming here,” Wilson said. “It will take away our small knit feel and make it very commercialized.”
Lauren Chirgwin said the area needs more recreational business to take advantage of the river. She also said a treatment facility isn’t a good fit.
Chirgwin and others also relayed fears for what other businesses could potentially come in, by opening “Pandora’s Box” if the commission adds the use to the entire zone.
“Nobody is questioning the need for rehab, but what concerns me most is if clients are violent criminals, or if they were incarcerated, and how long they would stay there? This is just not the highest and best use of this property,” said Lori Miko.
Monitor this website to find out when the next meeting on this subject will be held.
