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ASHLAND Luxury rehab center planned at former Circle of Teran church Neighbors want Jackson County to create 'stipulations' Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News A former church known as the Circle of Teran outside of Ashland could be reborn as a luxury drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that would charge more than $30,000 for a month’s stay. The Circle of Trust Completion Center, proposed by Norma Burton, minister at Unity in Ashland, would be a 15-bed residential treatment center located at 3300 Butler Creek Road that also would treat those seeking healing from trauma. Neighbors, who opposed the former 96-acre Circle of Teran, are also opposing Burton’s proposal, citing impacts to the private road and allowing a commercial enterprise in a sparsely populated residential area that is zoned mostly as farmland. However, the neighbors indicated in a March 13 letter to Jackson County Planning Department they might support the project as long as “stipulations” are met, including a road maintenance agreement. Jackson County is in the midst of processing the application for the property, which is outside of Ashland city limits. Burton, who has worked with battered women and in other therapy centers over the years, said the rehabilitation center would have only minimal impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. Also, the quiet, contemplative treatments are ideally suited to a secluded retreat, she said. “It’s a private healing center,” Burton said. “And the people need their privacy.” The average staff of five would be located on the property, which would include a psychologist, counselor, cook and other support staff, including a massage therapist. Housekeepers would come to the center on a part-time basis, Burton said. Burton worked at a center in New Mexico 12 years ago that she said charged $36,000 a month, but some centers in Los Angeles charge $50,000. Burton said she hopes to keep the pricing on the low end. The center, which would be certified by the state and could accept insurance, would also offer a scholarship program to help lower-income people afford this kind of facility, Burton said. Initially, the center would have five clients, eventually working up to 15 maximum. During an average day, about five vehicles would travel to the center, Burton said. Patients would be transported to the center in a van. The average stay would be anywhere from 30 to 90 days. Because it would be a second-level treatment center, the patients would already have gone through one program but would seek deeper psychological therapy offered at the Circle of Trust, Burton said. One of the main features of the property is the 11,000-square-foot residence that Burton said is set up more as a retreat than a house. “It’s built to be some kind of commercial place,” she said. “This would be the least impactful.” Burton said she has been meeting with residents and will continue to discuss the project to help address their concerns. Former owners of the 96-acre property, Scott and Sulara Young, observed a religious tradition developed by the Huichol Indians of Mexico. Scott Young is a plastic surgeon and shaman. They called the ranch Circle of Teran in memory of a son who died at birth, and they have said they were guided to the proposed church site by spiritual forces. After an extensive legal battle, Scott and Sulara Young succeeded in having the Circle of Teran identified as a church about the same time they put the property up for sale in 2008. Many nearby residents signed a letter sent to the Jackson County Planning Department that cites a number of potential impacts the Circle of Trust might have on the area and suggested ways to ease the issues. The letter, signed by Kent Erskine, Dona Zimmerman, Loren and Joanne Luman, Lee and Joanne Weisel, and Margaret Lander, states, “When these concerns are addressed, we request that Jackson County include clear stipulations of limits to the future business use of the property and a yearly renewal process wherein neighborhood concerns may be met.” Marla Morrisey, a neighbor who wrote the county a letter March 9, questioned a number of issues, including how the development would affect the private road and other safety issues. “What are the security protocols to stop residents wandering onto adjacent properties?” she said. The center would have medical and psychological staff assessing each of the patients, Burton said. Burton, who is in escrow on the property that is currently owned by Ashland hotelier Doug Neuman, said she would run the center to help people but is mindful that it needs to work financially. Neuman, who bought the property at an auction last year, said he has admired Burton’s work in the community. “She has a very great program that a lot of people speak highly of,” he said. Neuman said he would be happy to see a treatment center at the former Circle of Teran. “The way the place is built is perfect for this,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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