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Last week the Lincoln Planning and Zoning Commission recommended
approval of annexation and rezoning of the property.
In addition, there were no objections or comments at the public
hearing in council chambers prior the city's workshop on Tuesday.
Attorney Patrick Joyce from Brown, Hay and Stephens of
Springfield, representing ALMH, addressed the council with the
hospital's requests during the city workshop.
Joyce said that the process of determining the suitability of the
property has been lengthy but is nearly complete. There have been
studies, soil samples and requirements from Illinois Soil and Water
Conservation, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency and numerous processes to complete.
The zoning from the Logan County Comprehensive Plan was also
evaluated.
The primary purpose of the move to a new facility is to allow the
hospital to expand its modern technology, Joyce said. The property
needed to meet privacy standards, consumer preferences, adherence to
privacy laws and convenient accessibility laws. This location meets
all those needs and has good access from Interstate 55, Route 10 and
Fifth Street, Joyce said.
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IDOT has approved the three-way intersection onto Lincoln Parkway
for the 1,990-foot frontage to the property.
Joyce said that 13 acres would be used for the hospital and
medical complex. Ten acres would be green area, primarily because of
the wetland area that is protected under state and federal laws.
For the remainder of the nearly 58 acres, they would seek C-2
users. The opportunity to choose what would go in there would
protect the hospital interests, but would be compatible with the
surrounding zoning also.
The surrounding property is under county designation and is zoned
I-1. The rezoning request with the annexation into the city is to
make all of the property C-2.
The hospital board's decision to purchase the land is pending. A
May transaction is likely, Joyce said.
The requests for annexation into the city and rezoning to C-2
will go to a vote before the council at next week's city business
meeting on Monday at 7:15 p.m. All decisions will be contingent on
the purchase of the property by the hospital board.
[Jan
Youngquist] |
