Friday, December 11, 2009

Binghamton, N.Y., neighborhood protests group home for teens with autism

From WBNG-TV News:


People on Binghamton's Southside are worried about how a proposed home for the autistic will affect their neighborhood.

City leaders and the Southside West Neighborhood Assembly hosted this public hearing Nov. 8.

The Office of Mental Retardation Development and the Broome Developmental Disabilities Services, or DDSO, hope to build a home for autistic teens on Woodland avenue.

Neighbors say the makeup of the land isn't safe for building, and are concerned about water runoff down the hill.

They're worried about what would be done if water damaged their homes.

"We're satisfied with this site. We are leaving the door open however should the city have an alternative site that they think might be suitable that would meet our criteria," said Carl Letson, Director of the Broome DDSO.

The project has to pass an environmental review before the sale can go through.

It will show possible impacts the home will have on the site, and the neighborhood.