Easton Says No to Teen 'Crisis Center'

Easton's zoning hearing board has denied the request of a Philadelphia-based social service agency that wanted to put a "crisis center" for teenagers in the city's West Ward.

The board made that ruling Monday night after hearing from representatives of Resources for Human Development (RHD), as well as from neighbors who'd be living near RHD's proposed center at 241 N. 13th St.

RHD, which has a similar facility in Bethlehem Township, had proposed putting in an eight-bed facility in the former offices of Dr. Thomas Little. The property has been vacant for 18 months without any other interested buyers, said Ryan Little, the doctor's son.

James Fouts, representing RHD, told the board the teens at the center would be there voluntarily to deal with mental health or family issues.

“The goals are to take those kids before things start getting rough, or rougher, and get them the help they need," he said.

None of the teens would be going through the court system, or there as punishment, said Fouts, who argued residents didn't need to worry about unruly teens taking over the neighborhood.

"The kids are screened. They’re going to be appropriate…we want this place to work," he said. "If we bring in kids who are acting out, who are dangerous, they’re going to affect the other kids."

But residents worried that once the crisis center was approved, RHD could change the building's use into, for example, a rehabilitation facility.

Robert Fehnel—no relation to the Easton Area School Board president—said RHD's presence would change the character of the neighborhood.

“How do we attract good families, good neighbors, into an area where a home has been converted into a rehabilitation facility?" Fehnel asked.

Daniel Cohen, the Little family's attorney, presented the board with a petition from other neighbors supporting RHD's request.

But other neighbors argued RHD had duped them by presenting the project as something different than what went before the zoners.

Blake Marles, RHD's attorney, said the organization would agree to not to change the parameters of the building.

“We certainly understand the neighbors' concern," he said, noting that it wasn't unusual for crisis centers. “Everyone always thinks 'It’s a good idea, just not in our neighborhood.'”

Meanwhile, RHD won approval for the board on another matter -- its request to turn a personal care home at 1028-1030 Butler St. into seven apartments for adults who had been referred by the Northampton County Mental Health Agency.