Drug Treatment Clinic Pitches New Site In Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — A local methadone clinic is looking to build an expanded facility in the city, but it needs planning and zoning commission approval for a text amendment permitting such facilities in the location where it wants to build one.

The Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. virtually to discuss the matter.

At issue is an application for an amendment to local zoning laws to allow methadone or substance use rehabilitation centers in the type of zoning district where it plans to build one.

According to its application, The Hartford Dispensary, doing business as the Root Center for Advanced Recovery, says it wants to build a methadone and substance use rehab facility on Lafayette and Oak streets, not far from the Hartford Superior Court site.

Should the PZC approve the revised regulations, the Root Center would then come back to the commission for a special permit to build such a facility, according to its application.

The Root Center is a private, nonprofit health care agency that provides behavioral health and substance use services to the greater Hartford community, reads its application.

"In an effort to better serve its existing and future patients, Root Center recently has embarked on a mission to construct new, state-of-the-art clinics throughout Connecticut," reads its application.

Recently, Root Center closed a clinic in New Britain for a larger, more modern facility in that city, reads its application.

In Hartford, Root Center wants to close its site at 345 Main St. and open the new clinic on Lafayette and Oak street.

According to the Root Center, current regulations prohibiting construction of new facilities like the one proposed is a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act and allowing such operations would allow the city to accommodate such operations.

The application was submitted to the city in July, with the plan getting on the September agenda.

The property is currently owned by Courthouse Lenders LLC, with the Root Center expected to purchase the site on Lafayette and Oak street.

To see the Sept. 13 Hartford PZC meeting online, visit https://tinyurl.com/2022ddsPZC... number (access code): 2344 765 3365 | Meeting password: ddsPZC or join by phone at 408-418-9388, 2344 765 3365##.

To see the Sept. 13 Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission agenda, visit this link.

For the full application for the methadone clinic rules, click on this link.