SWEARING IN OF SPEAKERS:

 

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:

 

PC Minutes 7/26/06-DRAFT

ITEM NO. 8 :             USE PERMITTED UPON REVIEW FOR EXPANSION AT LAWRENCE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL; 325 MAINE STREET (LAP)

 

UPR-04-04-06:  Use Permitted upon Review request for the expansion of Lawrence Memorial Hospital, located at 325 Maine Street.  Submitted by Landplan Engineering, PA, for the City of Lawrence, property owner of record. This item was deferred from the June Planning Commission meeting.

 

STAFF PRESENTATION

Ms. Pool, Planning Staff, gave an introduction and overview of the UPR for Lawrence Memorial Hospital.  The property is located at 325 Maine and zoned H in the new code.  The site plan was deferred from the June Planning Commission meeting to allow time to evaluate issues on the plan, specifically the closure of the 300 block of Arkansas.  The plan has been revised to keep Arkansas open.  The southwest parking area was reconfigured to allow for 120 parking spaces.  With Arkansas left open, many of the previous issues have been resolved.  Staff recommends approval with conditions.  The City Commission will consider the UPR and Final Plat at the same meeting in August.

 

APPLICANT PRESENTATION

CL Maurer, Landplan for applicant stated the west curbline of Arkansas Street will remain the same and most of the changes will be to the east and south.  Some of the trees near the reconfigured parking lot will be lost; others may need to be moved.  The plan calls for moving one curb cut closer to 4th with an offset. One of the concerns cited in neighborhood meetings was regarding left turn lanes and how they would affect existing trees.  Widening of the street will not affect trees that are currently there, and a sidewalk at the intersection will be adjusted to save trees.

 

Harris questioned whether Arkansas will continue to be a two-way street.

 

Maurer answered in the affirmative.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

Gwen Klingenberg, coordinator for Pinckney Neighborhood Association, stated the group is supporting the expansion.  The Hospital has been responsive to the neighborhood concerns specifically regarding access, and the neighborhood appreciates the hard work that has gone into this process.

 

No other members of the public spoke regarding this item.

 

 

 

 

COMMISSION DISCUSSION

Burress asked if the traffic on Arkansas will be able to pass through the parking lot and whether it is more dangerous to have traffic pass through the lot.

 

Maurer replied that traffic will pass through the parking lot, but the danger is not increased. 

 

ACTION TAKEN

Moved by Haase, seconded by Harris, to recommend approval of the Use Permitted upon Review for the expansion of Lawrence Memorial Hospital and forwarding it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval, based on the findings in the body of the Staff Report and subject to the following conditions:

1.      Submittal of a Site Plan Performance Agreement.

2.      Recordation at the Register of Deeds Office of a final plat.

 

 

          Motion passed unanimously, 8-0.