Warren County OKs drug treatment center plan for old camp site

A Columbus urologist and Illinois hospital administrator head a group seeking to turn the former Kings Domain camp into an upscale, in-patient drug treatment center. LAWRENCE BUDD / STAFF

A Columbus urologist and Illinois hospital administrator head a group seeking to turn the former Kings Domain camp into an upscale, in-patient drug treatment center. LAWRENCE BUDD / STAFF

The Warren County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a site plan Wednesday for a residential drug treatment center on 120 acres in Washington Twp., Warren County.

The vote came a week after the board granted a special-use permit, then held a public hearing on the proposed development’s site-plan on the property at 5778 Ohio 350 near the Little Miami River.

The Cedar Oaks Wellness Center is to be built on the former site of the Kings Domain camp.

On Wednesday, the board voted to approve the site plan with five conditions.

The development must comply with the county’s rural zoning code and preserve the tree canopy as a buffer with adjoining properties, including Salvation Army Camp SWONEKY, and complement the Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve, across Ohio 350 from the entrance to the former camp site.

RELATED: Residential treatment center granted special permit in Warren County

In addition, the board required Cedar Oaks to post a ‘No Trespassing’ sign along an old logging trail between the Salvation Army camp and treatment center.

New buildings are to be similar to those already on the property and adequate parking is to be included in the development.

Bill Duning, lawyer for the Salvation Army, said he would discuss with a team reviewing the project if and how they would want to continue their opposition. Options include appealing the decisions in Warren County Common Pleas Court.

Cedar Oaks officials could not be immediately reached after the brief virtual meeting held using the GoToMeeting app.

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