Delaware County's quest to address its mental health crisis hit another roadblock this week when officials acknowledged the unsuitability of a building at Delco Woods for a therapeutic residence. Despite securing a provider three years ago, the search for a Long-Term Structured Residence (LTSR) location has been fraught with challenges, as reported by Delaware County's latest press release. After sifting through over 25 sites and considering the Delco Woods building, the County's assessment determined it to be a no-go due to its poor physical condition and prohibitive.
An earlier attempt to assess another potential site was stymied by Marple Township's rezoning move, which recategorized the land as open space. This threw a wrench in the works, as it would require reclassification to allow for the type of medical facility the County aims to establish. Despite the County's legal counsel submitting a five-page document at the Zoning Board Hearing on April 15 detailing the County's position on the matter in front of over 100 attendees, the County still cannot find a proper location for the LTSR. The County's commitment to both aiding those with mental health disorders and conserving green space has been a critical balance. They invested $22 million to purchase the 213-acre Delco Woods property, initially to thwart a developer's plan and preserve it for park use.
Despite these setbacks, the County has not waned in its dedication to finding a solution and intends to maintain its rights to the property while being open to working with Marple Township to tweak open space zoning laws to preclude further legal disputes. The County remains focused on establishing a park inclusive of numerous amenities for local residents.
True to its promise of fostering a robust park while also meeting the community's health needs, the County's work endures in locating an appropriate LTSR site elsewhere. This mission is imperative given Delaware County's ongoing need to effectively treat members of the community suffering from chronic mental health conditions, who need robust support but don't necessarily require hospitalization. The hunt is urgent, and the vision for a solution remains clear.
