Disputed rehab vows to 'open immediately' in Highland

(Daily Herald) Attorneys for a controversial drug rehab center have told Highland it will open immediately -- but it hasn't yet, and has filed a lawsuit against the city.

A recent legal appeal forbidding them to open is void, rehab officials have told the city.

In December, residents had legally challenged a September council decision allowing a drug rehabilitation center in a residential neighborhood. A judge then overturned that approval, and rehab officials asked the judge to remove his decision.

The judge refused, and on Feb. 2 the company that hopes to operate the rehab, Alpine Treatment Services, sent a letter to Highland saying they believe the judge's original ruling was moot.

According to ATS, city law says the judge had 60 days to issue his decision, but took 79 days. That means, "the decision is of no legal effect" and the rehab center intends "to open in Highland immediately," attorneys said in a letter to Highland, a copy of which was obtained by the Daily Herald.

Last week, the company had been scheduled for a hearing over a permit in front of Highland's Planning Commission, but withdrew indefinitely after announcing the judge's decision was void.

So is the rehab now open for business in Highland? ATS officials did not respond to requests for a statement, but Highland's attorney, Kasey Wright, said no.

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