Planning commission approves Dublin Methodist Hospital tower expansion with engineering coordination condition

The Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 18 to approve an amended final development plan for OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital’s proposed six‑story tower addition, including an initial 48‑bed expansion and associated site improvements.

Cherie Smith, president of Dublin Methodist Hospital, told the commission the hospital is outgrowing its current inpatient capacity and often must hold patients in the emergency department. “We initially plan to open 48 additional beds,” Smith said, adding that the design uses a “shell‑plus” strategy so rooms and infrastructure can be built in advance and brought into service quickly when staffing and equipment permit. The applicant also proposed 124 new parking spaces, a redesigned entry circulation, and a helipad relocation scheduled this fall to clear the construction footprint.

Architect Christina Bertucci described exterior materials and changes made since the commission’s prior review to better integrate the new tower with existing campus architecture. “OhioHealth has reaffirmed its institutional policy requiring white reflective roof surfaces,” Bertucci said, citing the hospital system’s sustainability and infection‑control rationale; staff noted the project will use white TPO roofing to comply.

Staff summarized the case history and recommended approval with a single amended condition that the applicant continue to work with planning and engineering to address outstanding site and technical comments before building permit. Staff said prior tree‑replacement shortfalls raised earlier in the process have been addressed in the current submittal.

Commission discussion focused on façade massing and the mechanical penthouse screening. Several commissioners said the applicant had responded to prior comments but asked the team to study ways to reduce or better integrate the visible mechanical screening. “The elevation is so dominated by that mechanical screening,” one commissioner said, urging further study of materials and proportions. The applicant said it would study opportunities to reduce the metal appearance or otherwise mitigate prominence during the permit‑level review.

Commissioner Wei moved approval of the amended final development plan with the staff‑recommended condition; Commissioner Harder seconded. In a roll call, all present commissioners voted yes, and the motion carried.

The project timeline presented by the applicant envisions helipad relocation in fall 2025, construction start in early 2026 and completion in 2028, subject to permitting and construction schedules.

The commission’s approval covers the amended final development plan and the single condition to continue coordination with planning and engineering. The applicant will return to staff during building permit review to resolve technical comments and finalize details.