Jaffrey Zoning Board approves variance allowing Reality Check to move to residential area

The former Redeeming Grace Church is the potential new site for the addiction services nonprofit Reality Check.

The former Redeeming Grace Church is the potential new site for the addiction services nonprofit Reality Check. STAFF PHOTO BY ASHLEY SAARI—

By ASHLEY SAARI

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 05-09-2024 11:31 AM

Addiction services center Reality Check has received permission to operate a commercial business in a new location on Stratton Road, in the former Redeeming Grace Church.

During a Zoning Board meeting on Tuesday, Mary Drew, the founder and CEO of the service, which currently operates out of a building on 17 Turnpike Road in Jaffrey, said the larger space would allow for more services, more often for the community.

Drew, when asked by potential neighbors, clarified that the building would not be used for residential treatment services, but would provide space for youth programs in the afternoon, individual and group drug and alcohol counseling and support groups. It would also provide a hub for the nonprofit, which also offers prevention programming for schools, including the Jaffrey-Rindge and Mascenic districts, addiction counseling training and employer education around addiction.

“We don’t have enough coaches,” Drew said.

Drew said while the current location of Reality Check has worked for the organization since it was first located there, but it is not large enough nor does it provide enough private spaces for counseling services. The former Redeeming Grace Church also has a back yard large enough to start a garden, which Drew said could be a youth project.

While the neighborhood is not zoned for commercial uses, Drew pointed out that its previous use as a church was unusual, and the location directly across from the middle/high school would allow for easier access for teen programs. Teen programming would potentially run from the end of the school day up until 6 p.m., after which time adult support groups or counseling sessions would be held.

Some neighbors of the former church raised concerns about the impact to property values, and privacy.

“I do have concerns with the proximity to the school, and to my house,” said abutter Patricia Layfield. She said one of those concerns was the frequency that people would be coming in and out of the property, comparing daily activity to the less-frequent church services.

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Abutter Richard Lovett noted that the “purpose is a worthy one,” but was concerned about attaching a variance allowing a commercial use to the property, and what might be done there in the future.

Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative Superintendent Reuben Duncan wrote a letter to the board in support of the project, stating, “The school district is committed to partnering with Reality Check on joint efforts aimed at helping reduce the onset and progression of substance use and abuse and its related problems. We anticipate that if Reality Check can operate at a location across from the Conant Middle/High School, we will have an increased ability to provide preventative support for our learners and increase support when difficulties arise.”

In their discussion of the issue, the board found that the property was unique, both for its location next to the school, the large size of the building and its non-residential use as a church.

“What other use is there for the building?” questioned ZBA Chair Lee Sawyer, who also pointed out that the business had a “proven record” of serving a need in the area, and particularly in Jaffrey and Rindge.

The board approved the requested variance in a unanimous vote, allowing the commercial use, although the application must also be approved by the Planning Board before it can move forward. The application was scheduled to be heard by the Planning Board for a site plan review on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the  town offices.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.