"No one informed us of this:" Neighbors question planned drug and alcohol facility in Franklin

FRANKLIN (WITI) -- Neighbors in Franklin are speaking out about a house for people with alcohol and drug issues that may be built near their homes. They say they have a lot of kids and elderly in the area and aren't getting much information about just who will be moving in.

The Franklin neighborhood is on edge and planning its next step.

"The members of our community are very angry, frustrated, sad with the fact that no one informed us of this," said concerned neighbor, Angeline Benning.

They're talking about a community based residential facility approved by the city's planning commission for a wooded site at South 92nd and St. Martins Road.

"No one can tell us what they have actually done or why they will be in this facility," said Benning.

Right now Matt Talbot Recovery Services has three locations in the Milwaukee are including this one on North Avenue.

Its website says its facilities house people affected by alcohol, and drug abuse -- and teaches them the skills to live independently.

"It's gonna be five beds or five individuals living here at first. It's designed that it can be expanded up to eight total," said City of Franklin Planning Department Manager, Joel Dietl.

Dietl says it will be a one story building with 24-hour staff. State statute says this kind of facility is permitted in residential areas and the city could only reject it for zoning reasons.

"Location of the driveway, landscaping, only those kinds of things," said Dietl.

It will be the 17th community based residential facility in Franklin, and like most, will be located by a subdivision.

Neighbors question whether there's a better site available -- since this one is partially a wetland.

"The DNR has stated that somebody will actually have to come out and see what the land is actually like," said Benning.

The building will need to be at least 50 feet from the wetland.

Neighbors are signing a petition and hope to force a public hearing.

"A lot of it is just fear of the unknown, ask as many questions as you have, keep pressing for good answers," said Dietl.

FOX6 News reached out to Matt Talbot Recovery Services for comment, but have not heard back from them.

The facility still needs to go through a few more stages of approval but may open later this year.