BEEKMAN – A federal lawsuit against the Town of Beekman over its handling of a proposed sober living home is moving toward arguments over whether the town should be ordered to allow the facility to operate while the case proceeds.
In an April 28 order, U.S. District Judge Jessica G.L. Clarke directed the parties to participate in a remote conference May 1. The conference was scheduled to address a briefing schedule for the government’s anticipated motion for a preliminary injunction, whether an evidentiary hearing would be necessary and whether the parties wanted to explore resolving the preliminary-injunction request without additional briefing.
The lawsuit stems from Bunkhouse Recovery Ranch founder Patrick Potter’s efforts to establish a sober living home at a 4,650-square-foot residential property on Hynes Road in Beekman.
According to the federal complaint, Potter purchased the property in 2023 after initially receiving a favorable response from town officials. He intended to use the home to provide housing for men in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, with a particular focus on veterans, first responders and their family members.
Federal prosecutors allege the town later determined that the proposed use was subject to additional zoning requirements and approvals. The complaint alleges Beekman required Potter to pursue a special-use permit and site-plan approval rather than treating the property as a conventional residential use.
Potter subsequently asked the town to make a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the complaint. The federal government alleges the town failed to grant that accommodation and prevented Bunkhouse from operating the home.
The Justice Department maintains that people recovering from drug or alcohol addiction can be protected as people with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act and that municipalities must provide reasonable accommodations when required by law.
The government is seeking court orders requiring Beekman to comply with the Fair Housing Act, as well as other relief.
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