Commission OKs zoning change for hospital

Marshfield Clinic System hopes to start building new hospital this year

A new Marshfield Clinic System hospital in Medford inched closer to reality this week.

Planning commission members gave their approval to a requested zoning change for additional land the hospital purchased adjoining their existing lots. Commission members also approved a new site plan for the proposed 18,100 square foot hospital.

While previous property layouts had the hospital set back on the parcel, the plan approved at Monday evening’s meeting, has the planned hospital running east to west adjacent to and parallel with Hwy 64.

Marshfield Clinic Systems representatives at the meeting explained the change in design made for a more efficient use of the property given the water that conveys across it from a west to east direction. They explained that in addition to gaining greater visibility from Hwy 64, if they had configured the building to run north and south on the property like originally planned, it would have required the construction of large retaining walls. This way, there are shorter utility runs needed and less excavation required.

City planner Bob Christensen noted the proposed design met all the city’s requirements and supported its approval. Commission members agreed and unanimously approved the site and landscaping plans.

Prior to approving the site plan, commission members had given their approval to rezoning two additional parcels the hospital was acquiring to complete the campus.

Pat Board of Marshfield Clinic explained that they acquired the properties that are currently zoned commercial. The hospital was seeking to have them rezoned as G-1 institutional district. The G-1 zoning rules are more flexible than the highway commercial zoning rules the lots were previously. The more flexible rules allow for the unique needs of facilities such as schools, churches, hospitals and government buildings.

Board said that pending the approval of the rezoning request they would look to have closing on the properties before May 20. The goal is for construction to begin on the new hospital this year.

With the approval from the planning commission the rezoning request will go to the full city council for final action at an upcoming meeting.

In other business, commission members:

_ Approved a conditional use permit for 208 E. Perkins Street for Elizabeth Gorichs and Matthew Westrich to operate a firearms repair business out of a portion of the attached garage. Christensen said that he received feedback from three property owners with two of them having no issues with the proposed use and the other concerned about traffi c and children walking by next to a gun shop. Westrich presented his gunsmithing certification and membership in professional organizations as well as his concealed carry permit noting he had an understanding of the gun laws and safety requirements. Gorichs addressed the question about traffic noting that from 1985 to 2003 she had operated a private daycare at the property which was licensed for 30 children. She said at the time they made part of the yard into a parking area so there was ample parking and that as an appointment-only type of business the traffic would be minimal. Commission members unanimously approved the permit.

_ Recommended approval of the preliminary plat for the proposed Pep’s Drive Subdivision. Prior to taking action on the plat, commission members gave their approval to a formal street vacation of a portion of Pep’s Drive. City coordinator Joe Harris explained the road was designed to have a more gradual curve but was built with a sharper turn at the end. The vacation request was for the area the way it was designed but not built. The new plat places the road correctly on the parcel as it is built now. The subdivision is a combination of single family homes to the south with the potential for duplexes on the northern part. One of the parcels will include a retention pond as well as plans to develop a park to serve residents in that area. Commission member Peggy Kraschnewski asked if there was any plan to connect the road to Gibson Drive. Harris said not at this time, because it would require purchasing additional land and going through wetlands. Christensen noted the plat will come back to the commission again at least one more time before it is finalized.

_ Clarified that for one and two family homes, Christensen does not need to bring the site plans to the planning commission for formal approval. However, for commercial, industrial and multi-family buildings he will continue to bring the plans for formal review by the committee. Christensen had asked for the clarification. “Where is the line between someone wanted to add a deck on the back of the house versus the Marshfield Clinic wants to build a hospital,” Christensen said.

“It depends on what the commission needs to decide on,” said commission member Greg Knight, who recently took over as the council representative on the commission in place of Tim Hansen.

Kraschnewski asked if the city has gotten burned by not having the commission review a residential site plan. “We haven’t had any zoning challenges in court,” Christensen said.

_ Recommended approving the updated outdoor recreation plan for the city. According to Harris, this is largely a formality that needs to be periodically reviewed and updated in order for the city to qualify for grants from the Department of Natural Resources. While the plan includes the amenities currently offered for parks and recreation it does not include park areas, bike paths and walking paths planned as part of the development of the Pep’s Drive area. Harris said that would have been putting the cart before the horse since the updating of the plan began prior to the approval of tax incremental district No. 14.