Should This House Become a Residential Facility?

Residents of Black Rock, Connecticut, have expressed concerns about plans to turn a "landmark mansion," the Chimneys, into a residential facility of individuals on the autism spectrum aged 17-21. A non-profit, the Intellectual Disabilities Education Association, Inc., plans to open a school for about 50 students, yesterday's Connecticut Post reports.

My first thought on reading the article was that this was a case of N.I.M.B.Y.. But some of the objections have been raised by parents of autistic children themselves; objections range from concerns about I.D.E.A.'s tax exempt status to the location of the mansion. I.D.E.A. has so far "not shown that their students was accredited by either the city or the state, and that they would be receiving more than just training skills, which is part of the group living definition." And:

Andre Ruellan, of Gilman Street, said schooling for his two autistic grandchildren has cost their parents $75,000. "It's really something very terrible and very expensive. Economically, there may be something more. They may be able to make a profit. I feel like it will fail eventually," he said of the IDEA proposal.

Nancy Hadley, the city's former director of planning and economic development and moderator of the BRHA meeting, said the taxes on the property now are more than $50,000, but the IDEA proposal would take the property off the tax rolls.

City resident Joel Gonzalez said he has a 7-year-old autistic daughter. "This is the worst place you can put an autistic facility. My daughter is fascinated by water. This place is right next to the water," he said.

It's Gonzalez's comment that I particularly concur with. Put Charlie near a body of water and it's more than likely that he'll try to put himself into the water (further reasons as to why I'd never want to have a house with a swimming pool). The property in question is quite large, apparently having (as the photo shows) a swimming pool and

22 interior rooms -- including 11 bedrooms, eight full baths and two half-baths -- a sweeping staircase, a 54-foot long reception hall, a six-car garage, built-in swimming pool and servant's quarters

Sounds like it would at least have to have extensive renovations prior to being converted into a residential facility?

Further reason to worry about the options for Charlie when he is older.

(Is this all getting too depressing or what?)

(On the other hand, now that I think of it, he might like learning how to paint and assist in fixing property.......hmmm.......)