Saint Francis outlines early modernization plan; residents press for traffic, zoning and house‑use details

Saint Francis Hospital representatives presented an early‑stage campus modernization plan at the Village of Flower Hill Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 3, saying the project aims to modernize aging facilities, expand private patient rooms and reduce on‑campus traffic by shifting outpatient services off site.

Dr. LaCour, who introduced the plan, said the proposal “is really aimed at 4 basic things,” including updated patient facilities and congestion reduction. Christine Flaherty, senior vice president of real estate development and facilities for Catholic Health, said the system is building an outpatient cardiology and imaging center at 2200 Northern Boulevard (East Hills) that will relocate about 30 physicians and is expected to redirect roughly 350 vehicle visits per day away from the Saint Francis Lane campus. “We’re expected to open both sets of services … this fiscal year of 2025,” Flaherty told trustees and residents.

Hospital officials said the campus currently operates at about 95% capacity and that less than 10% of medical‑surgical rooms are private; state health mandates and infection‑control best practices were cited as reasons to convert semi‑private rooms to private rooms where feasible. The plan calls for demolishing a dated 1960s pavilion and replacing it with a new patient pavilion, while preserving the historic Saint Francis chapel at the campus center.

Presenters confirmed Catholic Health has acquired several parcels on Oaktree Lane — they said six houses on the south side and four on the north side — bringing a total of “over 18 acres” associated with the campus planning effort. Hospital representatives emphasized they are not seeking a building application currently and do not plan to close Oaktree Lane. “We directed them that we have no plans to close Oaktree Lane,” Flaherty said, and repeatedly described the work as a concept/schematic phase that must clear hospital governance reviews and village processes before any formal application.

Village Attorney Mr. Blinkoff told the meeting that, under the village zoning code, properties on Oaktree Lane are currently in residential districts and cannot be counted toward hospital district square footage or building coverage. “As the code stands right now, those properties are residential…they have to be residential, and they’re going to stay residential,” he said, noting any change would require formal zoning and board approvals.

Residents kept the discussion focused on the neighborhood impacts of the hospital’s plans. Speakers raised three dominant concerns: the long‑term use of the Oaktree properties (residents said some homes appear vacant and deteriorated), the potential for increased traffic to spill into local streets, and a desire for clearer timelines and transparency. One resident said the row of purchased homes had become “an embarrassment” for neighbors and urged interim beautification and occupancy measures. Hospital staff said some purchased homes are temporarily occupied by previous owners, system employees or religious staff while others are being evaluated for “residential‑compatible uses,” and they agreed to consider interim beautification proposals.

On traffic, hospital representatives said they conducted current‑state counts in different seasons and a consultant analysis that informed the 350–400 daily vehicle reduction estimate tied to decanting outpatient visits; they said a follow‑up empirical study would be possible after off‑site services go live, with a suggested reassessment around 2026. Flaherty also said New York State DOT has proposed nearby traffic improvements and that a traffic signal at one entrance would require a formal request and coordination with DOT and the village.

What happens next: presenters said the project remains in concept and schematic design; it must proceed through Catholic Health governance committees, secure financing approvals and then return to the community and village boards for any zoning or planning applications. The hospital reiterated there is no formal building application pending and encouraged ongoing dialogue through the hospital website and village communications.

Why it matters: the plan affects immediate neighbors (Oaktree Lane and adjacent streets) and could change traffic patterns in Flower Hill if and when construction and reconfigured campus operations proceed. Residents asked for clearer interim steps and stronger commitments about neighborhood maintenance while the project remains conceptual.

The hospital said it will continue community outreach; Village officials said any future applications would be subject to village review and that they will notify residents as matters advance.