Haddonfield commissioners and Haddonfield United react to Bancroft property sale

Progress on the Bancroft property in Haddonfield may be starting to come to fruition.

On March 16, Recovery Centers of America announced it is purchasing the site of the Bancroft School in Haddonfield.

RCA says it plans to continue to operate a licensed behavioral health facility providing drug and alcohol treatment services including assessments, residential, inpatient recovery and outpatient treatment as well as providing resources for family therapy, spiritual services and recovery support meetings such as Al-Anon, Al-Ateen, AA, NA and others.

“This is a unique behavioral health facility in a great location,” said J. Brian O’Neill, CEO of Recovery Centers of America.

RCA’s proposal is the latest in a series of proposals for the Bancroft property over the past decade. In early 2013, Haddonfield voters defeated a proposal by the local school district to purchase the 19.2-acre Bancroft parcel as part of a $15 million bond.

Upon hearing about the pending sale, borough commissioners released a statement that explained their understanding of what the land will be used for, the process RCA must go through for approval and their stance on the proposal. Overall, they would like all those involved to be open and fair in all discussions of the proposal.

“It is our hope that the vision and plans to be articulated by RCA executives will be presented and considered in an atmosphere of full, open and fair discussion by all involved. The potential sale and re-use of this property is an extremely important, historic occasion for our town and its residents, and it deserves honest and thorough deliberation in order to reach an appropriate outcome,” commissioners said in the statement.

Located at the corner of Hopkins Lane and Kings Highway, the Bancroft School is a licensed behavioral health facility that provides services to children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

RCA chose this location based on the need in the area. In the 15-mile radius around Haddonfield, there are 522 AA, NA and other types of recovery support meetings weekly. RCA is also planning a similar facility in Gloucester County.

“The substance abuse epidemic is growing exponentially in affluent neighborhoods throughout the United States. People are dying in unprecedented numbers due to the shortage of treatment availability,” said Dr. Deni Carise, chief clinical officer for Recovery Centers of America.

According to the commissioners’ release, from their understanding, plans for the west side of Hopkins Lane, closest to the high school, are not firm at this time and might include utilization or sale for some other purposes, including potential borough or school district use.

Due to the fact that this property is zoned as R-2 (residential, single-family detached homes) with a current, non-conforming use as an educational institution, the commissioners believe that RCA will need, at a minimum, to seek approval for a use variance by the borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustment. Other borough approvals may also be needed, depending on any plans that might involve subdivision of the property or demolition, reconstruction or expansion of any existing buildings.

Any decision by the Zoning Board on a use variance may be appealed to the Board of Commissioners. For that reason, the commissioners will remain impartial and refrain from making any public pronouncement or judgment on RCA’s plan or on the merits of an application for a use variance.

“We are confident that the Zoning Board will carefully consider and render a just decision regarding this matter,” the commissioners said.

RCA will enter into a series of public meetings and forums to discuss in detail its intentions for the property. RCA will also work closely with borough officials, stakeholders and residents of Haddonfield.

“We fully welcome this approach and offer support for such informational meetings,” the commissioners said.

A release from Haddonfield United, a grassroots organization, felt having a center for those addicted to drugs and alcohol so close to Haddonfield schools is not appropriate.

“Although detox and rehabilitation centers provide important services to those addicted to drugs and alcohol, the location of the proposed complex is highly inappropriate and incongruous with its surroundings, as the site is immediately next to the high school, about 150 yards from Tatem Elementary School, and in the middle of a compact residential neighborhood,” said Brian Kelly, founder of Haddonfield United.

Haddonfield United also expressed skepticism that the project will receive zoning approval. In its release, Haddonfield United urged local officials not to act too hastily in responding to the RCA announcement.

“Any future solution for this property must be a product of compromise that carefully takes into account the interests of our town as a whole,” Kelly said.

According to the RCA release, the company is looking forward to becoming a member of the Haddonfield community and a valuable neighbor and friend.

“RCA looks forward to providing its services in special towns like Haddonfield. The number of deaths from overdoses in New Jersey is exploding. Families who have lost a loved one to overdose will point out that people suffering from heroin addiction do not receive help until it is too late. RCA’s goals is to change that,” Carise said.