County planners back 25-bed women and children community residence in Albion

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is supporting the site plan for 12,659-square-foot building at 3594 Butts Rd., a site that will be a 25-bed women and children community residence.

The Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse plans to develop 3.5 acres for the project. GCASA acquired 9 acres of land from the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

“The EDA was very happy to secure services for residents,” said Paul Hendel, the EDA board chairman and also a member of the Orleans County Planning Board.

The project includes a 25-foot-wide driveway and a parking lot with 27 spaces. The residence will be staffed 24-7 by GCASA.

Five of the units will be for women with space for up to two preschool-age children in each of those units. Residents can stay for up to six months. The women in the residence will have on-site addiction programs and learn other life skills. Staying with their children increases their chances for recovery and success, said Kathy Hodgins, GCASA’s chief clinical officer.

The Planning Board last Thursday recommended the Town of Albion approve the project. One issue that needs to be settled is the property having access to the Village of Albion sewer as an out-of-district user.

Dan Strong, the code enforcement officer for the town, said an agreement is expected soon between the village and town for sewer services. A draft proposal calls for the town to be charged an extra $500 a year for the GCASA connection and then a 2 percent annual increase. GCASA will be charged 125 percent of the sewer rate to village users.