Princeton board approves special-use permit for behavioral health day program at 605 West 1st Street

The Princeton Town Board on March 2 approved a special-use permit to allow a private behavioral health day-treatment program to operate at 605 West 1st Street, a former church building.

TA King presented staff findings and told the board the application met the town’s zoning and special-use criteria and recommended approval. Applicants Antoine Bilbo and Theo Colson, representing the proposed program and accompanied by property owner Apostle Lily Frazier, described a day-treatment model intended to support students with behavioral challenges and their families.

The applicants said the program is outpatient, will coordinate with students’ IEPs, and will begin with a small staff consistent with state ratios. “My goal is not to have more than 10 at a time,” Antoine Bilbo said, describing four-hour daytime sessions with rotating groups. On safety, the applicants said they will use non-restrictive de-escalation techniques (NCI/NCI-plus), make referrals to higher-level care when a child is not appropriate for the setting, and comply with required inspections and licensing by fire, sanitation, DHHS/DHSR and other relevant agencies.

King told the board staff had reviewed zoning, fees and technical criteria for zone permit 2526-ZP-21 and recommended approval. After questions from commissioners about staffing, transportation and crisis response, Commissioner Theo Colson moved to approve the permit and another commissioner seconded. The motion passed 3-0.

The board’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with the remaining regulatory reviews (fire, sanitation, environmental and program licensing) before opening. Applicants said they hope to open within 30–90 days, contingent on inspections and approvals.

The town closed the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.; the applicants were congratulated after the vote.