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Spotsylvania supervisors approve Silver Cos. rezoning that is linked to the new hospital Date published: 8/15/2007
BY DAN TELVOCK
Spotsylvania supervisors last night unanimously approved Silver Cos. rezoning of 182 acres near Massaponax that sparks a fierce pace to get the county's first hospital built by late 2009. "This is a revenue generator and a quality of life increaser," said Supervisor Vince Onorato, in whose district the project is planned. "This is great." The 7-0 vote gave HCA the go-ahead to begin constructing the Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center that adjoins the rezoning. The 182 acres south of the U.S. 17 Bypass is in nine parcels zoned mostly industrial, with some rural land. The land is now zoned commercial. Silver will build three commercial pods totaling 430,000-square-feet on 70 acres, and one office pod of about 150,000-square-feet on 23 acres. Silver Cos. Project Manager Jon Riley said big-box retail, similar to what is in its nearby Cosner's Corner development, is not envisioned for the site. Silver Cos. proffers extending Spotsylvania Parkway across Interstate 95 to U.S. 17. Overview Drive will be rerouted to connect to the new Parkway. A new bridge over the interstate, bus stops, Hospital Boulevard, turn-lane improvements to 17 onto Spotsylvania Parkway, bike paths and trails also are part of the proffer package. Silver Cos. promised to have the road improvements that service the hospital completed before doors open. HCA purchased about 75 acres from Silver Cos. for $5.6 million to build the 126-bed hospital. The industrial zoning is sufficient for the hospital, but to get the road improvements, HCA partnered with Silver Cos. Mark Foust, HCA's vice president for marketing, said the road improvements are key to the long-term success of the hospital. He was one of three people who supported the project during the public hearing. "It will add hundreds of new, good-paying jobs to the economy," he said. Planning commissioners recommended approval of the rezoning in a 5-1 vote in June. But they submitted conditions that Silver Cos. add more office instead of retail uses, and add an affordable housing element. Commissioners had concerns that the commercial part of the package didn't fit the county's comprehensive land-use plan that targets the property for a "work, live, play and shop" vision. Some of the commissioners also said the county needs more high-paying career jobs, not more retail.
Yes, it was a bad deal. But, in fairness, no hospital at all would have been a worse deal for the county. I also hate the way that Silver gets everything it wants from our spineless supervisors, but we need the hospital. I think they had to approve this one.
Gridlocked the article does say "The industrial zoning is sufficient for the hospital, but to get the roads, HCA partnered with Silver" That pretty much says the zoning allowed the hospital but they partnered with silver so they wouldn't have to pay for the road improvements. It seems HCA is to blame, not Silver, who used brains and slickness. HCA, a for profit hospital, refused to pay. Also, this paper wrote another story about how the hospital could be without this silver crap. you need to read!
Applying what can only be termed an epic rationalization, supervisor Onorato squeaks, "This is great!" to the foregone conclusion to acquiesce to the slickly negotiated terms of Silver & Co. Holding the building of the hospital as ransom, Silver & Co got what it wanted all along: more low rent retail space instead of the promised office space or affordable housing. To add to this travesty the benevolent S &C will discuss "partnering" on a "speculative" office complex, but there are "no guarantees." Let the land clearing and the Sliver rush commence!
They sure know how to make a buck! I can't wait for the increase in minimum wage jobs offered, meaning more illegals.
They sure know how to make a buck! I can't wait for the increase in minimum wage jobs offered, meaning more illegals.
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