St. Joseph’s moves behavioral‑health unit in campus renovation; project plan approved with conditions

Project summary: St. Joseph Hospital representatives described renovations and a two‑floor addition to Building 8 at 101 Union Ave to relocate an existing inpatient behavioral‑health unit (no net increase in bed capacity). Counsel Kevin Gilligan and landscape architect Vincent Petrick said the addition is approximately 27 feet toward the street and roughly 2,200 square feet per floor.

Permitting and conditions: Staff requested and the commission approved a negative SECRA declaration after EAF Part 1/2 review. The commission approved project plan review Z‑2915 with four special conditions: obtaining all necessary departmental approvals before starting work in public rights‑of‑way, addressing review‑department concerns before building permits, contacting plumbing control to ensure appropriate permits, and coordinating with Onondaga County Department of Water and Environmental Protection regarding capacity assurance and sanitary‑flow offsets if required.

Operational clarifications: Hospital staff said the project relocates an existing inpatient behavioral‑health unit rather than adding new beds and described interior reconfiguration to create a 30‑bed patient unit within the renovated footprint. The addition will eliminate an existing drop‑off loop and rely on the hospital parking garage for parking.

Ending: The commission approved Z‑2915, noting the project is consistent with the PID district intent and that required permits and traffic/erosion control plans will be provided during final permitting.