A sober living and residential treatment facility for drugs and alcohol recently moved into the Covenant Hills community of Ladera Ranch, CA in February 2016.  Although these types of treatment facilities are necessary and serve an important purpose, the effects of having recovering drug addicts in our community can be devastating.   A review of studies on addiction and recovery indicate a relapse rate of 50-90% following a period of recovery across substances.  The rate at which recovering addicts relapse should be of great concern to surrounding residents.  Relapses are often correlated with increased crimes in the community.  Our family community is not an appropriate environment for a drug treatment facility.  Our homes are not on large lots and we reside very close to one another.  On Lennox and Kent Courts, where the facility is located, there are over 30 children.   Many of the children play outside in very close proximity to the residence.  We should not have an unreasonable cause for concern in allowing them to continue to do so.    The facility’s web page and Yelp review page indicate the capacity for 10 residents.  Family and friends are allowed to come and visit, have access to the pools, parks, clubhouses, tennis courts and other amenities in our neighborhoods.  Therefore the opening of this treatment facility will affect all approximately 22,000 residents in Ladera Ranch.   There will also be a negative impact on property values.  It will now be very difficult for surrounding residents to sell or lease their homes.  Ladera Ranch is an extremely family friendly, child-oriented community that has long been attractive to young families.  This location will unfortunately be a deterrent to future buyers.  It is frustrating that we live in a community that can dictate what plants we plant in our front yards and how long it is appropriate to leave our trash cans out in order to protect the integrity and attractiveness of the community; but there are no rules against a residential treatment facility which has become a real threat to the integrity and attractiveness of our neighborhoods. We all moved to Ladera Ranch for the family lifestyle it has created.  It's a great place to raise a family and the community is full of wonderful, hard-working people.  More importantly we feel safe.  Let's fight to keep it that way, or Ladera Ranch will be the next casualty in the upward trend of rehabilitation facilities in family communities.  The easiest solution is to encourage the owner of Luminance Recovery, Michael Castanon, to relocate his facility immediately at 949-391-3845. He is currently renting the property and has the ability to cancel his lease with the owner of the home.  The owner of the home is a Chinese national investor who does not live in the United States. They paid cash for the property several years ago and have been leasing it out.  This lease was facilitated by Jessica Hung, a realtor who works for Realty One Group in Irvine.  You can ask her about the transaction yourself at 949.309.1267 or jhung@realtyoneca.com. At the very least I'm sure we can find a nice family or individual who would love to live in this property.  It has a great outdoor living space, and the inside has all of the beautiful finishes you would expect.  Addiction is a serious problem that can affect anyone regardless of age, race, religion, social class or ethnicity.  We have compassion for people that are addicted to drugs and alcohol and believe that drug rehab facilities play an important part in our lives and communities.  The family environment of Ladera Ranch, however, is not the place for this type of business.  Here are a few excerpts from the LARMAC CC&R's that we need our HOA to act upon immediately: -Article II, 2.1.4 Insurance- The activity [must not] increase LARMAC's liability or casualty insurance obligation.  Does this activity increase LARMAC's liability obligation? Article II 2.1.5  consistent-activities are consistent with the character of the residential area...no part of the Residential Area may be used for any business, commercial (including auctions or similar events), manufacturing, mercantile, storage, vending or other nonresidential purposes, including any activity for which the provider is compensated or receives any consideration, regardless of whether the activity is engaged in full or part-time, generates or does not generate a profit, or requires or does not require a license. Is this considered a business? Is this consistent with the character of the residential area? This is from LARMAC Community Guidelines: Section II. B.5- careful screening of tenants prior to renting your property is important to protect your investment in your property...Preserving the community and maintaining harmony among residents are the ultimate goals of LARMAC..(Clearly this homeowner  Jaidai Liu did not do this). Here is some background information on the Facility: Michael Castanon, a mortgage banker by trade, recently opened the Luminance Recovery center at 21 Lennox Ct.  On his website www.luminancerecovery.com he is advertising that homes are located in well-established, quiet neighborhoods.  This means there could possibly be more to come! This treatment facility treats Detox patients, dual diagnosis (mental illness and addiciton), opiate abuse, and more.  Please sign the petition and contact Michael at mcastanon@luminancerecovery.com or 949-612-2001 or 949-359-7283. You can also try visiting him at his office at 27131 Calle Arroyo, Ste 1703, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. We will also be urging Ken Gibson, the Executive Director of First Service Residential who oversees LARMAC to make a difference in our community.  I've communicated with Ken and he agrees with the Ladera Ranch community but he needs to hear from all of us. His number is 949-218-5537 and email is  Ken.Gibson@fsresidential.com Lastly we will be urging congressman Darrel Issa, representative of the 49th congressional district who represents Ladera Ranch to take action on this issue should Michael Castanon not make this decision himself.  Congressman Issa's Orange County office number is 949-281-2449.  http://www.drugfreehomes.org/2009/11/link-between-drug-addiction-and-crime.html