House for recovering addicts set in Tanglewilde; neighbors upset

A house for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts is expected to open in Tanglewilde next month, and neighbors are outraged.

Residents discovered through word of mouth that a home on Logger Street was being renovated into an Oxford House, potentially housing six to eight people recovering after drug and alcohol treatment.

About seven Tanglewilde residents spoke in front of the Thurston County commission last week, expressing concern about the halfway house.

“This is not the vision we had for Tanglewilde,” said Jerry Griffin, who lives about a block from the future Oxford House.

Other residents shared concerns about children who walk past the property to go to school, as well as the fact that the property is next to the community park and pool.  

The county sent an inspector to the property and issued a stop-work order after discovering the property owner, A Krew Properties LLC, had not filed for permits for renovations and grading.

Renovations included adding gravel to what once was a grass lawn, which is against county code, according to a notice of violation from county inspector Guy Jaques.

“The minimum front yard setback is 20 feet with a standard planter strip,” the notice said. “The gravel currently located within that 20-foot setback must be removed and replaced with grass.”

The contractor representing the property owner since has visited the county permitting office to get the necessary permits, according to Cliff Moore, director or resource stewardship.

The county environmental health department also has found issue with the property’s septic system, which failed and requires significant repairs, Moore said.

Gino Pugliese, regional manager of Oxford House, was not aware of the permit issue. Oxford House rents the properties from the owners and is not responsible for renovations, he said.

“We tell somebody this is what we need, and if you can make it suitable for our needs, we will gladly rent this property from you,” Pugliese said. “That includes them needing the permits and hiring the contractors to make it suitable.”

Oxford House is not required to notify neighbors of the opening of a house, Pugliese said.

“We don’t typically go into a neighborhood and knock on people’s doors to say we are moving in,” he said. “They didn’t knock on doors and ask permission to move into that neighborhood, so there is no reason we need to ask permission.”

According to state law, the county cannot regulate or control residences used for “persons with handicaps.” The state considers recovering alcoholics and drug addicts “functionally disabled,” Moore said.

Of those living in Oxford Houses around the world, 78 percent have served time in jail, according to the organization’s website. The organization screens applicants and doesn’t allow sex offenders.

Pugliese said “it’s sad people get the wrong idea” about Oxford House.

“We have so many Oxford Houses around the state, and people get up in arms when they find out there is an Oxford House opening, where I think most people should be glad it’s an Oxford House and not a wannabe,” Pugliese said. “We have such a wonderful reputation.”

Tumwater has two Oxford houses for men, one off Cleveland Avenue and the other on Armstrong Road.

Tumwater Detective Jen Kolb could not recall any issues with either house.

“They are pretty quiet,” she said. “I don’t think we have any problems with those really at all.”

The Oxford House in Tanglewilde was scheduled to open Oct. 1, but permitting issues could cause delays, Pugliese said.  

Tanglewilde residents plan to meet about the issue, said Jo Ann Grubb. She is retired and lives with her husband, Jack, about five houses from the impending Oxford House.

“I have nothing against the people that are recovering – they need this – but it’s an established residential area we have here in Tanglewilde,” she said. “The majority seems to be that we don’t want it in our area, we don’t feel it’s the right place for this type of community.”

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