The Russell Springs City Council approved a new zoning law last night that places restrictions on alcohol and drug treatment entities in the city.
Under the new ordinance, alcohol and drug treatment entities would not be permitted to locate in residential zones. It would also require any alcohol and drug treatment entity to be located a minimum of 1,000 feet from a church, daycare, school, public park, or public playground.
Two citizens addressed the council during the meeting. The first was Dr. John Garner, who practices family medicine and addiction treatment in the building formerly occupied by Rippetoe Funeral Home on Lakeway Drive.
Garner questioned whether the new ordinance would preclude him from practicing in that location. City Attorney David Smith said he couldn’t guarantee it without further research, but believed there would be no issue.
The council also heard from Jesse Kimes, Vice President of Business Development with Spero Health. Spero Health has operated a location near Key Village for a few years, but has recently been looking for a new location in the city. Kimes said Spero Health has made a difference in many lives and treats around 100 clients in Russell Springs. He said the ordinance would prevent them from opening at a location they were looking at.
There have recently been discussions about a drug treatment entity possibly locating on Wilson Street, but Kimes did not specifically say that Spero was looking at that location.
A motion to approve the new ordinance was made by Councilman Cody Wilson, and seconded by Councilman Gary Frost. It was approved unanimously by the council.
Mayor Eddie Thomas told Kimes during the meeting that the city’s economic development director, Jeramy Coffey, would be glad to work with him and Spero Health to find a location that would be in compliance with the new ordinance.
