Planners Reject Proposal for Mental Health Clinic

Residents who opposed plans for a mental health clinic in San Fernando were delighted Wednesday when the city’s Planning Commission denied a permit request.

The panel refused to grant permission for construction of the proposed Anne Sippi Clinic--planned for up to 76 patients--at 14138 Hubbard St., which is zoned for residential use.

“I’m thrilled,” said Peggy Bennett, who lives three blocks from the site, where a drug-rehabilitation facility once operated. “I walk right near there, and if those people get out, it could have been bad like it was before. It’s been a long and draining process, but we won.”

The co-president of the Anne Sippi Clinic Treatment Group, which has facilities in El Sereno and Bakersfield, said another location will be sought.

“Our goal is to move on and get a suitable place for the many people who have a need for mental health care,” said Dr. Chess Brodnick, whose clinics treat schizophrenia, depression, food disorders and other illnesses.

“The surrounding neighbors objected because there was a previous facility there, which I hear was not properly run,” Brodnick said. “We run a very secure operation.”

She said there would be no appeal.

The Los Angeles County drug-rehabilitation center at the site closed more than a year ago, City Councilwoman Beverly DiTomaso said.

“Oh, God, it was horrible,” she said. “My sons used to see people walking down the street and fighting all the time.”

At the Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night, most of the 25 speakers opposed the new clinic. A few hoped it would be built.

One was a San Fernando man whose two brothers suffer from schizophrenia. “I support the Anne Sippi Clinic, because we shouldn’t be afraid of people just because they have a mental illness,” said Gilbert Avielas, 21. “As long as people with schizophrenia take their medication, they do well.”