A suboxone clinic has received a reluctant approval from the city to operate its facility downtown.

City council voted 3-2 Tuesday night at a conditional use meeting to approve the A & R Health Services' move to 128 W. New Castle St.

The clinic, which relocated from East Jefferson Street, has been open at its new location since January, but it never received the required approval.

City code states that drug facilities, like suboxone clinics, must receive a conditional occupancy permit to open in a commercial district. The permit allows the city to place certain restrictions on the facility.

Suboxone is a drug used for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence, similar to methadone. A common use of the drug is to treat heroin addiction.

Mayor Tom Donaldson and Councilman Bill May voted against the permit.

Councilman Richard Schontz Jr. said Wednesday that council as a whole was against the location of the clinic, but said the city was told by the city solicitor that it would likely face a legal battle if it denied the permit.

“I don't like the location,” he said. “But the clinic is permitted in a C-2 zone. We didn't have an alternative.”

Councilman Kathy Kline agreed with Schontz on location concerns, adding the city can't afford a legal battle.

“We'd probably lose,” she said. “And the city doesn't have money in the coffer to go to court.”

The clinic is across North Washington Street from the city police department.

Kline said she has concerns about the clinic being near other human services such as Catholic Charities and the Irene Stacy Community Mental Health branch center.

“My biggest concern is location,” she said. “There is too much concentrated on that street already.”

The street is also the site of the West New Castle Street Plaza, which is used by the public in the summer.

Donaldson said he is skeptical about the effectiveness of suboxone clinics.

“A considerable number of the people never get off drugs,” he said.

Donaldson has listed the fight against drugs as his number one priority since taking office in January.

While Donaldson voted against the clinic, he said the owners of the clinic seem responsible.

“They have a great model,” he said. “They have a plan to make it work. We just don't need it downtown.”

The mayor said the clinic will be the only suboxone clinic in Butler to offer therapy for clients.

Schontz also was complimentary to the owners of the clinic.

“They provide great service,” he said.

Approval of the permit is based upon seven conditional requirements. Those include staggered appointment times for clients, occupancy limits, specific hours of operation, an off-street parking plan for staff, and a 25-foot loitering perimeter.

“They'll be under heavy scrutiny,” Kline said.

Council also said if it finds the clinic to be a nuisance property, the city will revoke the occupancy permit.

“The city did its due diligence in making the decision,” Schontz said. “We'll continue to keep a close eye to make sure (the clinic) follows every stipulation.”