Electric Fishwrap has moved

By KATE MARTIN

Skagit Valley Herald staff writer

Secret Harbor officials are “outraged” at Sedro-Woolley’s ruling that denied a conditional-use permit for a group home for troubled boys.

The city’s hearing examiner, Mount Vernon attorney Tom Moser, denied Secret Harbor’s permit Thursday. The permit would have allowed the organization to locate a home at 939 State St. for six boys in the state’s care who have behavioral problems because they were abused or neglected.

Moser, who was not available for comment Thursday, cites neighborhood opposition to the home in his findings against Secret Harbor. He also said that the proposed home was incompatible with the surrounding area and could adversely impact the neighborhood.

Brian Carroll, president and CEO of Secret Harbor, said he plans to appeal the decision. But the organization is in a time crunch to leave its current Cypress Island home and place students throughout Skagit County. Carroll also said he wants students settled in time for the start of public school in the fall.

Carroll said if the appeal is denied by the City Council, the issue will go to court. He suggested that Secret Harbor would prevail in court because legal precedent has showed that a city cannot discriminate against a group home for handicapped individuals.

“It’s unbelievable to us that he ruled this way,” he said.

Sedro-Woolley Mayor Mike Anderson said he cannot comment on the issue because of the appeal process. If appealed, the case could go before the city council, Anderson said, in a quasi-judicial process.

“We’re just trying to save taxpayer dollars here,” he said. “We don’t like the idea of going to court anywhere.”

Carroll said the ruling is a clear-cut case of discrimination.

A legal battle will ultimately “cost Secret Harbor and the city of Sedro-Woolley a lot of money, but this is not something we’re willing to let go,” he said.

Until the ruling, Carroll said the city government had been cooperative with the process. The planning department approved the application and sent it to the hearing examiner. The fire department inspected the proposed home and suggested a sprinkler system.

Joe Toussint, co-owner of the home on State Street, called the ruling “devastating.” The ruling puts the sale of his property on hold. Toussint, whose own adopted son spent time in a group home in San Francisco, said he supports Secret Harbor’s mission.

“He’s a real straight boy because he got help,” Toussint said. “What kind of deal is this if we can’t have a group home? … I will do whatever it takes to get this right because it’s a totally wrong thing to do.”

The nonprofit Secret Harbor has one group home in Burlington, which has worked “flawlessly,” Carroll said. Two other homes, one in rural Anacortes and another in Mount Vernon, will house more boys before the fall.

Carroll said if the permit issue cannot be resolved in time, the state will have to find alternatives for the boys.

Originally published July 4, 2008.