Little Rock, Arkansas – A mental health group home is set to open in the Pecan Lake subdivision despite opposition from residents who say they feel blindsided by the Little Rock Board of Directors. The Gardens, a therapeutic facility for individuals with mental health needs, plans to operate out of a vacant church near the entrance of the neighborhood.
Neighbors expressed frustration over what they describe as a lack of transparency in the board’s decision-making process. Last month, the board upheld the approval for The Gardens to move into Pecan Lake, leaving residents with limited options to challenge the decision. Many had initially believed there was a formal avenue to reverse the board’s ruling.
Ed Bullington, a longtime resident, said the community was misled about their ability to influence the outcome. “The city attorney gave us a very explicit pathway to have the vote that they took at a previous board meeting to get it rescinded. And then they pulled that rug out from under us last night with ‘change of circumstances,’” Bullington said. His comments reflect a growing sense of frustration among neighbors who feel the board changed the rules mid-process.
Residents voiced concerns not necessarily about the presence of a mental health facility itself but about the impact on the neighborhood and the lack of opportunity for community input. Many argued that the location, at the main entrance to Pecan Lake, could affect property values and traffic flow. Others said the board’s decisions left them feeling unheard and excluded from meaningful dialogue about their neighborhood’s future.
Despite the pushback, city officials maintain that The Gardens meets all legal requirements for operating in the area. Representatives for the board and the facility have emphasized that the home will provide necessary mental health services to residents who need them, with safety protocols in place. The decision underscores the city’s broader goal of expanding community-based care for individuals with mental health challenges.
The situation in Pecan Lake highlights the tension that often arises when community development and public health initiatives intersect. Residents like Bullington feel caught between supporting mental health care and preserving the character and perceived safety of their neighborhood. At the same time, city leaders are tasked with ensuring access to services that address growing public health needs.
Read also: Two teenagers arrested in Lonoke County after fleeing scene of hit and run near Highway 367
As The Gardens prepares to open, neighbors continue to seek clarity on what, if any, recourse remains. For now, the group home’s move forward is seen as a victory for advocates of mental health support but a source of unease for those living nearby. The dispute serves as a reminder of the delicate balance local governments must strike between advancing public services and respecting community concerns.
The controversy at Pecan Lake is likely to remain a topic of local discussion in the coming weeks, as residents watch closely to see how the group home’s operations unfold and whether any additional measures will be taken to address community concerns.
