Zoning approval sought for methadone clinic in Wilkes-Barre
Apr. 14—Pinnacle Treatment Centers is seeking zoning approval to open a methadone clinic in Wilkes-Barre, six months after approval for a different site in the city was rejected.
Pinnacle is seeking a special exception to establish a methadone treatment facility in the Thomas C. Thomas building at 90 E. Union St., according to the agenda for an April 28 meeting of the zoning hearing board.
The building is located in a heavy commercial zone.
Pinnacle senior communications director Melanie Eilers did not return a call seeking comment on Tuesday.
The company in October petitioned the city zoning board for a use variance to provide outpatient counseling services and dispense medications including methadone, buprenorphine and/or Vivitrol from the former United Rentals building at 140 Hazle St.
Pinnacle's plan at the time was to move operations from its Miners Medical facility, which quietly began operating at 43 S. Main St. in Ashley, next to Family Dollar, in 2010, to the Wilkes-Barre site.
After hearing nearly two hours of testimony at an Oct. 21 hearing, and despite Pinnacle presenting letters of support from several officials including Luzerne County Drug and Alcohol Services administrator Ryan Hogan, county Councilman Matthew Vough and state Sen. John Yudichak, I-14, Swoyersville, the zoning board voted 5-0 to deny Pinnacle's application.
Several residents of the Iron Triangle section of the city testified against the proposal, citing concerns of increased drug activity and a reduction in required parking that Pinnacle had requested.
The April 28 hearing will take place at 4:30 p.m. in the Princess Room of the Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel & Conference Center, 77 E. Market St., Wilkes-Barre.
Contact the writer: smocarsky@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2110; @MocarskyCV
