BLUEBONNET HAVEN SUBMITS LICENSING APPLICATION
The Bluebonnet Haven youth treatment facility is nearing completion, and is now being reviewed by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
DHHS Press Officer Christine Mann told KWHI on Friday that the agency has received an application for licensing the Bluebonnet Haven facility in Brenham. Mann said the application was received on August 27th, and that it is currently under review.
The facility must be licensed before it can start contracting with the state to treat youths.
Mann said the application will be looked at to see if it has all necessary information, and if it does, the agency has 21 days to complete an inspection to determine if the facility complies with standards. According to Mann, follow-up inspections could be required, if problems are discovered in the first walk-through.
After the agency sends operation notice confirming it has reviewed the application, it will have two months to decide on issuing a permit, unless good reason is found to delay the process. Mann says permit applications can be denied if a particular operation doesn’t adhere to minimum standards or administrative rules.
Bluebonnet Haven, which is being built on Highway 36 South near Brenham State Supported Living Center, has drawn opposition from several local and county officials. The Brenham City Council, Washington County Commissioners, and Brenham school board have all passed resolutions against the licensing, citing the facility’s potential harm to the community.
If licensed, Bluebonnet Haven would act as a residential treatment center for youths, and would also provide educational services through a contract with Trinity Charter School. The Texas Education Agency approved Trinity’s application for a charter school at the facility in April.
Brenham planners and managers should receive all the credit they deserve from us the citizens and taxpayers. Especially, from us the citizens that live right down the road from this barb wire high fence, high risk facility. The tax appraiser will surely reappraise all of our property values as soon as their high risk license is issued. I am looking forward to my lower taxes. I will use the money I save on taxes to beef up my home security system. Again, thank you, city of Brenham planners and managers. I am surprised that you did not pull your political strings to have the high risk facility within two miles of your house. You too could have received the benifits.
I’m confused; is this facility within the city limits? Not sure why you seem upset with the city of Brenham..?
Thankful Citizen, thank you for speaking out. I also live a very short distance from this facility. You can also thank the city engineer and utility director for allowing the extension of city utilities to this high risk facility. I saw the equipment when they extended the water and sewer lines past the city limit sign. Then again, we should not forget to thank the state officials either.
There is nothing anyone with the county or the city could have done to block this any more than they did. The way the licensing is done, Bluebonnet had to build the facility before they could apply for the license. Now it’s up to us citizens to speak our minds.
It really adds to the beauty and appeal for tourist and newcomers being next to a main entrance into Brenham with its high fences and barbed wire. Brenham can do better.
Drive by and see the high walls and fencing…interesting…
This facility must not pass!! This will harm our community and we do not have the resources to support the needs. Sen. Kolkorhst could stop this if she wanted to!! What happened to the fact that they must have a public hearing? What happened to the fact that we are in a county of less than 300,000 and cannot support this? People of Brenham must stand up! This is all about making money and not helping people. The investors here will open the facility and sell it as fast as they can. This MUST NOT PASS!
I think it is a wonderful idea. This will help the youths in our area that needs help, instead of parents having to send them too far away they will be closer for family Support, family involvement and visitation. Youths do better when their families are involved with them.
This will also creat local jobs
I’m sure the citizens of Washington County will welcome BLUEBONNET HAVEN, as much as the citizens in the New Ulm, TX area welcome the FIVE OAKS ACHIEVEMENT CENTER. Burning down a house or two is a small price to pay…
Somehow I thought this was already handled!
Now it’s getting lisenced….Iv not been outthat way in a while, does it even have a fence? I know people that live close to it and they are really stressed about it.