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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.
Those concerns will not be addressed in the proffers. Supervisor Hap Connors said although planning commissioners offered good ideas, not all are practical.
"I think they were trying to make this project the be- all, end-all to solve those problems," he said. "This hospital is a magnet for those opportunities."
HCA will build a minimum of 100,000 square feet of office space for medical purposes on its property. Riley said Silver Cos. agreed in the sale terms with HCA to not compete with HCA on building medical offices. Riley said Silver Cos. has discussed working with the county's Economic Development Department on partnering on a speculative office complex, but it's not guaranteed in the proffers.
Riley said the Silver Cos. is not going to add affordable housing to the plans. Riley said Silver Cos. is already proffering $12 million in transportation improvements and the proffers for housing would make the project less economical.
After the public hearing, Foust said he is aware that the general public wants the hospital to be finished.
"We are equally interested in moving forward," he said. "We believe land clearing will commence shortly."
Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438