On Tuesday, the LaGrange City Council considered a request from Next Cross Road to approve a special use permit for a group treatment center at 99 Johnson Street.

The proposed location is on Twin Cedars property that was formerly used as a center that catered to teen mothers. The new use would focus on women who have completed legal requirements related to substance abuse but want to make a lasting change in their lives through the support system provided by Next Cross Road.

“The program is an aftercare for women who have dealt with substance abuse problems, so this is really hoping to break that cycle of addiction,” City Planner Leigh Threadgill said. “That takes time, once you are out in the world you’ve got to get out slowly and that is their model.”

The women would live on site with a resident manager providing supervision.

Threadgill shared plans to discuss the proposed use with community leaders in the Calumet neighborhood where the buildings are located.

“Next Cross Road — which is the group that was looking at locating at 120 Alford Street, but the neighborhood came out strongly against the application and that special use permit was not ultimately approved — they have been regrouping and looking for an alternative location,” Threadgill said.

The location under consideration was licensed as a group treatment facility, and while it has not been through the permitting process, it would have been eligible for use as a group treatment facility under older ordinances.

The program would use two of the four buildings on the property, and officials expressed hopes that the facility would be a good fit for the program. A public hearing on the special use permit is scheduled for Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at 208 Ridley Ave. in LaGrange.