Planning Commission endorses expanding substance abuse treatments at Seven Corners mental hospital
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| Dominion Hospital |
The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved a zoning special exception Oct. 27 to allow Dominion Hospital in Seven Corners to treat patients whose only medical condition is substance abuse.
Under current development conditions, the facility can only treat people for drug and alcohol dependency if they also have a psychiatric diagnosis.
The facility, also known as the Virginia Psychiatric Co., is located at 2960 Sleepy Hollow Road. It has 130 beds and provides both in-patient and out-patient care.
The zoning special exception application does not propose any changes to the exterior or interior of the building.
On Oct. 26, the Mason District Land Use Committee recommended the Planning Commission approve the project. There will be a hearing before the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 9.
Related story: Seven Corners mental hospital seeks permission to expand services to substance abusers
Development conditions agreed to by the Planning Commission include the following:
- The landscaping around the property will be upgraded and a bicycle rack will be installed.
- Dominion Hospital agreed to revive a community advisory committee.
- Any combination of outpatients and members of support groups must be limited to no more than 30 at any one time.
- Workshops must be limited to no more than 50 persons per session.
- All support groups, visiting hours and clinical workshops must be concluded by 10 p.m.
- There must be no more than 10 committed patients and/or detention patients in the hospital at any one time. Committed patients must be limited to ages 17 or younger and are not permitted out of the building.
- Groups of up to six patients can walk in the neighborhood and must be accompanied by a staff member.
- No one who is violent or under criminal arrest may be admitted.