Planning Commission grants concept approval for Philip Bean medical center expansion

The Planning Commission granted concept site plan approval on June 9 for a proposed expansion of the Philip Bean Center medical facility (major site plan 08‑13200002).

David Berry of the Department of Land Use and Growth Management presented the application and said public water and sewer are available for the site and that final adequate‑public‑facilities findings will be made administratively by the planning director prior to final site‑plan approval.

The project involves two building additions (roughly 14,450 and 12,225 square feet in the applicant’s materials) to the existing medical center and was reviewed by the technical evaluation committee during the April 2008 cycle. The applicant obtained a variance to exceed the zone’s maximum footprint; the Board of Appeals granted that variance on May 20. Staff said with appropriate landscaping and buffers along Route 235 the plan can meet zoning design objectives.

The applicant’s representative said a traffic study was delivered to staff on Friday before the meeting; the study recommends improving the site’s entrance to add separate turning paths and a right‑turn lane configuration. The applicant and staff said State Highway Administration has requested the entrance geometry be striped and configured to provide a right‑turn lane and through lane as warranted. Staff reported no outstanding issues that would prevent a favorable concept determination.

Commissioners voted to approve the concept site plan; final engineering, landscaping and APF findings will be required before final approval and recordation.