Design board recommends approval for St. John’s 189,600‑square‑foot hospital expansion, waives rooftop screening

The Maplewood Community Design Review Board voted March 17 to recommend approval of a four‑story, 189,600‑square‑foot addition to St. John’s Hospital at 1575 Beam Avenue East, with conditions that preserve ground‑level screening of mechanical equipment and require a traffic study for the Hazelwood Street and St. John’s Boulevard intersection.

Staff presented the project as an expansion to the hospital’s 28‑acre campus that would replace part of an existing parking structure and add about 135 permanent surface parking spaces in the northeast corner. The project would also amend the site’s conditional use permit and seek a 10‑foot setback variance (the addition would sit 20 feet from the property line where 30 feet is normally required). Staff said the proposal meets the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan guidance for employment and clinical uses and recommended approval. A construction timeline of roughly 22 months was described and the application was tentatively scheduled for City Council review on April 13.

“We did an additional study now that we’ve reduced the size of the building to review the parking counts,” said Danielle Getke, vice president of hospital operations for St. John’s. She told the board she is “very confident” in the parking plan and noted the hospital operates valet and escort services to help patient access. Staff added that if a future parking shortage is demonstrated, the applicant would be required to provide additional parking under the conditions in the report.

Board members pressed the applicant on circulation and materials. Architects showed samples of sintered stone panels and metal accents; members noted the goal was to modernize while maintaining a visual relationship with existing brick on the campus. The applicant acknowledged some rooftop equipment would be visible and asked the board to waive full rooftop screening at this time, citing cost and future mechanical floor options.

Staff clarified that city code requires screening of ground‑mounted and roof‑mounted mechanical equipment but that the Community Design Review Board may waive the rooftop requirement; the board opted for a narrowly worded condition. In a friendly amendment the board specified the ground‑mounted equipment must meet ordinance screening requirements and that the applicant would work with staff to find a suitable solution for roof‑mounted equipment rather than mandating full rooftop screening now.

Chair Bill Kempe moved the recommendation of approval, with Tom Lauzen seconding the motion. The motion passed on a recorded voice vote with four ayes recorded.

The Planning Commission will also review the application later the same evening, and City Council consideration is tentatively scheduled for April 13. The board’s action was a recommendation; final permitting, the traffic study’s findings, and building permits remain outstanding steps.