City of Fort Myers, rehab center settle federal discrimination lawsuit

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A federal discrimination lawsuit between the City of Fort Myers and a residential drug rehabilitation center has been settled.

Details of the settlement were not immediately disclosed.

City council members have until Feb. 6, 2017 to approve the deal, which was reached through a mediator, according to court documents.

Attorneys for both sides did not immediately return requests for comment.

City officials claimed the East Riverside Drive center violated zoning regulations by offering drug treatment services in a largely residential area and not holding a city business license. The city’s Code Enforcement Board issued a cease and desist order in March 2015, then fined Sovereign Health of Florida, Inc., the company that operates the facility, $250 for each day it remained open past the deadline.

Sovereign Health attorneys unsuccessfully argued with the board over whether the business was exclusively a drug and rehabilitation facility. The area is only zoned for a residential care facility.

The unpaid fines amassed $8,000 before a judge put them on hold, according to the News-Press.

Sovereign Health filed suit against the city in May 2015 for discrimination, claiming the city knew about their plans, but changed their minds once residents voiced concerns that the facility would bring crime and drug use.

City officials previously said the battle has cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.