Falmouth Rejects Zoning Changes For Substance Abuse Clinics

FALMOUTH, MA — Falmouth Town Meeting this week rejected a proposed zoning change that would have limited the ability of substance abuse treatment centers to operate in town. Town Meeting postponed the vote Monday, and struck the proposal down 153-37 Tuesday night, according to the Cape Cod Times.

The zoning revision would have prohibited clinics within 500 feet of a school, child care center of house of worship. Many said the proposed change went beyond the responsibilities of Town Meeting, the Times reported.

Treatment centers have been a divisive issue in Falmouth over the past year. Attempts by Gosnold to relocate its treatment center next to an elementary school and the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod to open a needle exchange program were met with backlash from nearby residents.

Read more from the Cape Cod Times.