LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- New Albany is one step closer to regulating pain management clinics.
Critics say Kentucky laws forced them out of the state so many pain clinics are moving to Southern Indiana. New Albany city council members are trying to discourage that.
It comes after complaints surrounding a pain management clinic in Jeffersonville. People are concerned it could attract addicts and those looking to doctor shop for pills.
City councilman Scott Blair sponsored the ordinance. He says, "We wanted to be proactive and put an ordinance in place to prevent the same situation here in New Albany."
The city planning commission drafted a zoning ordinance to keep pain clinics away from neighborhoods.
Blair says, "What we're trying to do is keep them away from the residential commercial areas so we don't have a traffic problems the parking problems the crime issues that are associated with the clinic."
Pain clinics would be forced to set up shop 300 to 500 feet away from residential land.
It also has to be more than 1000 feet away from another clinic.
Scott Wood, the city's planning director, says, "It would be possible to have one downtown New Albany, but there'd be issues if they meet the necessary parking or not."
City council should vote on the new zoning ordinance October 18th.
Copyright 2012 WDRB News. All Rights Reserved.
