Neighbors raise traffic and flooding concerns as Saratoga Hospital seeks 60,000-square-foot medical office

The council heard a presentation on a proposed text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that would transfer development area to allow a new 60,000-square-foot medical office building and structured parking on the Saratoga Hospital campus. Joseph Bell, a general surgeon speaking for the hospital, said the building would consolidate scattered providers "under one roof" and "improve patient outcomes" by shortening referral and travel times.

Hospital representatives and employees described workforce, access and clinical benefits. "This will give us the ability to better care for our patients across the board," Bell said. Jeffrey Casau, associate vice president of support services, described past facility investments and argued the Center for Successful Aging and medical office space would expand services available locally.

Neighbors voiced concerns about increased traffic on narrow adjacent streets, ambulance access, the adequacy of parking, and possible flooding in a neighborhood with a high water table. "The issue is traffic... and flooding," one resident said, asking council members to drive the nearby streets to understand existing constraints. Another neighbor noted that prior environmental and traffic reviews found "insignificant" impacts but said local experience disagreed.

Council members and staff discussed procedural issues, the ability to require additional seeker/traffic studies, and whether existing PUD approvals require a more limited change. No final legislative action was taken tonight; the council heard advisory testimony and discussed next steps for review and notice.

Next steps: the council will consider advisory opinions and additional environmental/traffic review materials before any formal vote; the hospital and neighbors will continue outreach to planning staff and boards.