A stream of supporters and an expensive presentation by McLaren Regional Medical Center was not enough to sway township planners from their duty.
Members of the Independence Township Planning Commission said that while they supported the idea of a 73-acre McLaren health-care village development on Sashabaw Road near I-75, they were not yet prepared to approve it.
‘I’m not against this development – there’s just some work that needs to be done before it can move forward,? said commissioner Sam Moraco before moving to table the proposal.
The motion passed 6-1, with Commissioner Curt Carson voting against.
The project would include a 200-300 bed hospital, medical offices, ambulatory surgery center, pharmacy, medical equipment store, research and educational facilities, retail building with office space, cancer center, healing garden, heart center, rehabilitation center, emergency care facilities, and space for future growth, according to information provided by McLaren Health Care.
A presentation by McLaren stated the benefits of the project. These would include the creation of 3,000-4,000 jobs, and $600-800 million added to the local economy in wages and taxes.
Partnering with McLaren is the Clarkston Medical Group, currently located on Dixie Highway.
‘We need more space – we’re anxious to move into the new building,? said Dr. James O’Neill, founder of the center.
The new facility would improve medical care for local residents by providing specialized and emergency care right in town, O’Neill said.
Township planner Richard Carlisle recommended further revision to the proposal before approval. The report called for revisions, clarifications, and further information on 47 items, including the five-story height of the proposed hospital, drainage, and fire protection.
The hospital’s height has been an issue since it was first proposed last year.
‘This is a predominantly low-rise, two-story community,? Carlisle said.
Township ordinances allow for two-story buildings. Five-story structures would require a variance granted by the planning commission and township board. This could provide a precedent, he said.
‘We need to be very careful about this,? he said.
The McLaren design team has worked hard to respond to the township’s concerns, said McLaren President Philip Incarnati.
‘We implore you to allow us to proceed with this project,? Incarnati said.
Dan White, of the design firm RTKL, said the height is needed to help patients, staff, and families. Patients can be kept closer to treatment rooms, nurse stations, and visiting rooms if floors can be stacked, or ‘pancaked,? on top of one another instead of spread out horizontally.
In this case, six floors would have been the most economical. Five floors would make a good compromise beween the the needs of the hospital and the community, White said.
Almost all of the almost 20 people who spoke during public comment were in favor of the proposal. Some had questions for the McLaren representatives and one spoke against the project.
‘This would be a significant departure from anything we’ve ever had in this community,? said township resident Neil Wallace. ‘There are ample reasons to reject this – clearly there are too many questions to make a decision tonight.?
Many of those speaking in favor of the project cited its potential to create jobs.
‘There is no doubt that there are issues here, but don’t lose sight of those jobs,? said Dan Hunter, director of Oakland County Economic and Planning. ‘The impact would be huge – we really need it.?
‘This is the opportunity of a lifetime,? said Independence Township resident Michael Clark.
McLaren is working to revise its plan, said Kevin Tompkins, vice president of marketing at McLaren.
‘We’re working on this as we speak,? Tompkins said. ‘We’re looking forward to bringing this back to (the planning commission) as soon as possible.?
McLaren will work with the township to address all 47 issues in the Carlisle report, Tompkins said.