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New hospital plans go before Spotsylvania Planning Commission
CORRECTION: Commissioners, who voted 5-1 (with one member absent) to recommend approval of the application, asked that Silver Cos. consider reducing the retail element, increase office space and attempt to add affordable housing.
BY DAN TELVOCK
Spotsylvania planning commissioners last night showed strong support for the Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center. But they didn't like the 430,000 square feet of retail that comes with it as part of Silver Cos.' rezoning application for 182 acres called Cosner East, south of U.S. 17. Even with their concerns of traffic, sewer line improvements, low-paying retail jobs and violating the Comprehensive Plan's "work, live, play and shop" vision for the Primary Settlement District, they still recommended approval after the public hearing. "The hospital fits that vision, no doubt about it," said Commissioner Kevin Leahy about the Comprehensive Plan. "Does the rest of the project fit this vision? That's where I start having an issue. I see single use all over the place." Silver Cos. is requesting a rezoning of mixed industrial- and rural-zoned land to commercial. The hospital will be included on about 75 acres of the property that HCA bought from Silver Cos. for $5.6 million. HCA is expected to spend $152 million to develop the 126-bed, acute-care hospital. The rezoning isn't necessary for the hospital, which is allowed on industrial-zoned land, but Silver wanted the land to be commercial to construct stores and offices. Silver estimates the shops will result in about $4.5 million in annual revenue. For the rezoning, Silver has proffered extending Spotsylvania Parkway across I-95 to U.S. 17. Overview Drive would be rerouted to connect to Spotsylvania Parkway. A new bridge over the interstate, FRED bus stops, a new road called Hospital Boulevard, turn-lane improvements on U.S. 17 onto Spotsylvania Parkway, bike racks and trails are also proffered. The applicant also agreed to make some sewer line improvements that service the property. Although an upgrade to a 15-inch sewer line for 1,000 feet is needed near the property, there shouldn't be capacity problems, said interim planning director Wanda Parrish. Silver Cos. Project Manager Jon Riley said the company is committed to provide the hospital with all needed infrastructure to open by 2009, which requires the $12 million in road improvements. Riley said Silver Cos. will also pay its fair share of the sewer upgrade. Commissioners were concerned with the increase in traffic on U.S. 17. Riley said Silver Cos. is willing to work with county officials on ways to pay for widening U.S. 17.
Are these people on the planning commission also in the pocket of Silver Cos. or is this just another blatant example of a severe lack of leadership in Spotsylvania Cty? Gollee gee, we need more retail space here, more traffic problems and while we are at it, more grand Silver Cos. road improvements!
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