02-10-03 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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p Zoning and Annexation Committee February 10, 2003 Page 2 Mr. Bancroft stated that a wall or iron fence would be constructed to address the foot traffic concern. Theodore J. Foti, Senior Vice President of Memorial Hospital added that Memorial has offered the neighbors to have the opportunity to sit with the architects with regard to the wall or iron fence design. Council Member Aranowski noted that there also has been discussion on construction and that the hours will be consistent with noise regulations. He added that they have also discussed that there would be no construction vehicles traveling through the neighborhood. With regard to the west side of St. Joseph Street, he noted that there are several residential parking only signs in this area. He stated that the Board of Public Works have assured him that those signs will be back up after the construction is completed. Mr. Bancroft stated that all of the representations just made by Council Member Aranowski are correct. Council Member Aranowski then read into the record a letter dated January 31, 2003 (copy attached) from the Park Avenue Neighborhood Association Chapin Park National Historic District (PANA) from Theresa Sedlack, the Secretary of the Association to Mr. Foti which primarily addressed the 40-foot setback request from the curb line be incorporated. Council Member Aranowski also read the February 6, 2003 letter (copy attached) from Theodore J. Foti, Senior Vice President of Memorial Health System to Theresa Sedlack stating among other things that "it is our intention to provide 40 foot setbacks wherever possible". Council Member Aranowski noted that the letters are relevant to all four (4) ordinances addressing the Memorial footprint being heard by the Council this evening. Jon Hunt, Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development stated that he was speaking on behalf of the Administration and the Redevelopment Commission in supporting this project. He noted that development is often a challenge, however this expansion will be respectful of the neighborhoods. The primary option is to go up instead of out in light of Leeper Park and the residential neighborhoods. There may be possible expansion to the south toward the downtown which would bring significant benefits to the community and would balance many needs of the community. He noted that this project would retain critical jobs; that many of the buildings are taxable properties and that it will be a catalyst between the downtown and the hospital for development. He supports the project as being good for the community. Mr. Theodore J. Foti, Senior Vice President of Memorial Health System stated that they need more beds, especially for heart and oncology. They need more physician office space. Fifty (50) new physicians were hired in 2002 and they expect to hire an additional fifty (50) physicians in 2003. Memorial is developing a ten-year plan to address increased demands, especially in light of the upcoming move of St. Joseph Medical Center from the city. He noted that planning requires rezoning now. The planning process should be completed by the end of April 2003 so that construction may begin later this year. In response to a question from William Hostetler, Jeff Myers stated that the rezoning process requires a final site plan to be filed within one(1) year. Council Member Aranowski thanked the neighbors for all of their input, especially that which has