Planning Commission makes their vote to...

...DENY HCA's zoning application...5 against, 3 for and 1 abstention...

 

So is this issue dead, once and for all? If so, what is HCA going to do with the land?

 

Donna,

What is your source for this information?

 

Personally attending the meeting and listening to the vote count. That is my source.

 

Really there is no need to be abrupt. I simply asked a question. I have been unable to locate any sort of county press release or news article on the topic and simply wanted more information.

 

I don't think this is going to kill the issue. Did they not already have it zoned properly and only asked for additional zoning or am I remembering something wrong here?

Not that I'm feeling strongly either way, I think the topic has been beaten to death as it is.

Marianne

 

I think we could use a Broadlands Ice Arena.

Marianne: How do you concieve that Donna was being abrupt? Is there something in the print? Incorrect wording?
I do not see any abruptness here. She answered your question.
I gather from your comment that you are upset. Sorry... sincerely <3

 

It's not done yet. The Planning Commission's recommendation for denial will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors who will have the final vote on the issue. That will occur some time in November. I think there is very little chance the BOS will overturn the recommendation from the Planning Commission. The BOS was lining up against it anyway, and the negative recommendation just made their denial that much easier.

 

Do not underestimate the power of a good bribe!

 

Gammonbabe: the site was made up of more than one parcel. The two large ones were rezoned under different Comp Plans: one under the one before the current one, and one before THAT one. One of the parcels listed a hospital as a special exception use--i.e., one which would require approval to build a hospital on that land. The other did not list hospital as a use. I think that some people who strongly support BRMC were looking at the fact that one portion of the site could be used for a hospital if approved, were focusing on that condition as (technically) allowing a hospital (if approved).

Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.

 

I am sorry my comment was meant for Pdonna...

 

I am the one that thinks Donna was abrupt and I still do. I am not upset but I appreciate your concern.

I was really just looking for information, not questioning her sources. Is this a done deal or was this simply a denial based on a technicality. If it is a done deal what will be done with the land?

 

One last thing I would like to say about the planning commission meeting. As has been stated on numerous occassions, HCA really wants to provide health care to Loudoun County. They want to provide jobs for Loudoun county residents, they want to bring in additional tax revenue for Loudoun county, they want to be a part of Loudoun county. Why then when Mark Looney was asked directly about whether or not HCA would consider moving "this plan" to another location within Loudoun county did he state "NO"? If they are getting denied for this location and still have the same opportunity to provide all of those wonderful things to the same set of patients and county residents why then won't they consider another location? Makes you wonder what their TRUE interest is in all of this.

 

$$$$$$$$$ like everyone else. The healthcare system is out of control. That's what happens when you let bankers make health care decisions. My insurance rates went up 35% and I lost benefits, go figure.

 

pdonnadurk: I don't know if a denial based on a technicality is the most accurate way to describe it: given that the position that "the land is zoned for a hospital" is one of extremely selective very optimistic thought, a single technicality probably doesn't cover the reasons for a 5-3 vote. The records will be available to review the concerns stated in support of the votes cast. What HCA submitted for approval was a collection of different applications, which if taken together and ALL approved, would have allowed them to go directly forward. It can't be considered a "done deal" either, because of the BoS and any lawsuits, which I think someone posted on the other hospital thread. Those in support of the hospital who have developed a good working relationship with HCA are in an excellent position to keep lines of communication open regarding possible alternative use of the parcels in the site, should it be determined (at the BoS or maybe in court) that an HCA hospital will not be there as an end result.

Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.

 

Thanks Barbara. Bottom line, this isn't over yet. That's all I needed to know

 

I'm also wondering if there's an appeals process like everything else in government. When they lost their bid for a COPN, they just appealed and got it the second time. Is that a change with the BOS (assuming they vote it down)?


--Joy

 

Joy: the land use process starts with submitting the application(s) for whatever to county staff, where it goes through full review by each depatment, each of which publishes any concerns they have, based on their area of expertise etc. The staff concerns are addressed by the applicant through multiple resubmissions and re-reviews by department, until A) all concerns are addressed or B) the applicant decides that they disagree with staff position and continues in the process, i.e. rolls the dice on the next step. Staff issues a recommendation to approve or deny to the PC, which is not binding on the PC.

Next step is the Planning Commission review, which includes review of staff's recommendation to approve or deny the proposal. Public input occurs (public hearings etc), and the PC votes to recommend to the Board to approve or deny the proposal. Here's where it is: the PC voted to recommend denial based on what was fwded to/discussed at their level.

The Board goes through the same process--reviews staff's input and (non-binding) rec, and reviews PC input and (non-binding) rec. They also receive input in the form of staff comment, PC comment, and public comment re hearings etc. They then vote to approve or deny based on all of the input they've reviewed.

One thing people need to remember is that legally, it is a land use decision, so what might be considered a "technicality" may in fact be a legal obstacle to approval: legally, approval needs to come or not come based on what the existing law is in relation to land use, zoning, etc. Should HCA sue, the merits of denial will revolve heavily on the zoning of the parcels, the proposed changes, and how they all fit together with existing law. This is where HCA is going to have a long expensive trial (as will the county) if they've got a pile of separate apps that they have put together in an attempt to result in a cohesive project, on a set of parcels that need to have approved cohesive use to allow the project.



Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.

 

Huh? you must be confusing me with someone else. I did not accuse anyone of being aprupt.

Marianne

 

Marianne, I made the correction on the previous page. I am sorry... I initially read pdonna's comment incorrectly... eyes do funny things... mine do anyway. Again I apoligise for the mistake of ID.

edited for spelling error[8D]