Long Islanders object to planned eating-disorder home

GLEN COVE, N.Y. (AP) -- Some residents of a suburban New York community say a residential facility for people with eating disorders would depress their property values.

Newsday reports that eating disorder experts were heckled at a City Council hearing Wednesday about a planned residence for people will the illness in Glen Cove, Long Island.

Malibu, California-based Monte Nido and Affiliates wants to operate a 14-bed eating disorder residence in Glen Cove.

Frank Ferrante, who lives near the site where the group home is planned, said the home would "disrupt the character of the neighborhood" and reduce property values.

But people affected by eating disorders said the facility is needed.

Jennifer Converse said she had four years of outpatient treatment for anorexia, and a residential setting would have reduced the time of her suffering.