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Planning Commission approves code amendment allowing rooftop mechanical exemptions for hospitals, citing St. Francis burn center needs
Summary
The Commission approved an amendment to Planning Code §260 to permit horizontal‑area exemptions for necessary hospital rooftop mechanical equipment (targeted to St. Francis Memorial Hospital’s burn center), provided the equipment is integrated, minimizes visual impact and obsolete rooftop units are removed prior to new installations.
The Commission voted unanimously on a proposed amendment to Planning Code section 260 to allow exemptions above the zone height and bulk limits for hospital mechanical equipment where the equipment is necessary for building function, is architecturally integrated and obsolete rooftop equipment is removed.
Planning staff (Kanishka Burns) said the amendment is targeted to enable St. Francis Memorial Hospital to upgrade its burn center — a regional critical care resource — and that safeguards were added in response to Commissioner concerns, including removing out‑of‑service rooftop equipment before installing new equipment and ensuring minimal visual impact and architectural integration. "The amendment would allow St. Francis Memorial Hospital... to upgrade its treatment facilities and comply with State regulations as well as medical best practices," staff said.
The sponsor (Abby Yant, Vice President for Mission Advocacy and Community Health at St. Francis) affirmed the burn center’s importance and the technical team answered commissioner questions about screening and necessity. The motion to adopt the recommendation passed unanimously 7–0. Staff noted the ordinance sets bounds so other hospitals in similar situations could be considered later with similar criteria.
Provenance: Staff presentation at SEG 1862–1906; sponsor remarks SEG 1910–1919; vote at SEG 1964–1981.
