Town leaders and council talk regularly about need to manage growth in the community.

But Jacklin Drive -- an area of generally upscale homes running along the north side of the Desert Canyon golf course -- is no place for a nursing home and a halfway house for recovering drug abusers.

These businesses were apparently allowed to locate in this neighborhood -- along with their associated risks -- with absolutely no restrictions for residential zoning and no notification to residents.

It began with the “Golf Zoo” a few years ago -- a nightly/weekly party rental house that was initially denied due to residents’ complaints but was ultimately allowed -- apparently due to the town’s lack of zoning regulation. We simply didn’t learn from that mistake.

Now, a run-down nursing home with weathered decks and cluttered, disused pool has been joined by a halfway house for recovering drug abusers in the midst of otherwise upscale homes -- their values doubtlessly tarnished by the ability of these businesses to co-locate in the neighborhood -- no regulation by the town and no notification to the residents.

Note to Council: Create a growth plan that makes sense and doesn’t comingle businesses with single-family homes -- it’s apparently a do-whatever-you-want environment.

And if you’re going to allow activity that runs counter to the neighborhood and its core values -- at least have the decency to notify residents so they can have a voice.

Otherwise, elected officials can be assured -- the residents’ voices will be heard loud and clear at the polls during the next voting cycle.