2005/12/05 Council Agenda Packet

General Hospital SPU & Variance 3-88 Page -19- These facilities must also be considered in an ecological and environmental review. The size, height, etc. were considered in this review. Environmental impacts will be present but control of parking, traffic circulation, design, landscaping and other mitigating factors will reduce the serious adverse impact on the ecology. From the proposals and designs submitted, it appears that the environmental impacts will be lessened or minimal by the development of the site and the proposed use will not have a serious adverse effect on the ecology or environment of the cc mmunity. Finally, the proposed use must be reviewed in light of the public convenience and necessity. The hospital put much emphasis on the fact that other facilities in other communities have medical office buildings nearby. This, however, is not totally' relevant to the issue of development in this particular neighborhood. This argument, as set forth by the hospital, is a sophomoric plea that "they have it, why can't I?". A more enligb tenedand persuasive t ider is the fact that the Eyprett City Coim it adopted a Comprehensive Plan a fQr intensive e ng site devei Clearly, the Everett City Council and the Everett Planning ission envisioned further development and progress occurring at General Hospital. Time hospital has determined that a medical office building is a vital element to provide adjunct care to the hospital and to provide convenient medical facilities and services to the public. The close proximity of the medical office building and the hospital allows for prompt emergency help and ensures safer treatment for such fields as obstetrics and cardiology. It will provide a high quality medical facility that is necessary for this growing unity. A review of the variance criteria (EMC 19.70.060) has also been made of the request. Clearly, because of the limited area for development and the legislatively intent as expressed in the Comprehensive Plan, the hospital is restricted to intensive site development. These restrictions are extraordinary circumstances that dictate that the requested variances are necessary for the development of the site in a manner that is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Everett. As noted at the beginning of these comments, this Special Property Use Permit is a highly oontested issue. Tb decide such controversies is difficult. The neighborhood was unified in its opposition and it is obvious that there is concern about the future of their properties in the area. With the intensive site development, the neighborhood is not being encroached upon by the hospital. It Must be recognized that the hospital is a community based facility that provides vital services to the entire City of Everett and other areas of Puget Sound. The hospital is limited in its expansion and must be creative in its designs for providing better facilities for the community. The Applicant has submitted a plan that conforms to the Everett Comprehensive Plan and as a result, the community of Everett will benefit by the expansion. It is desirable that the negative impacts of this development are minor upon the neighborhood. With the reduction of parking demands, and with proper scaling of the building with landscaping and design, the impacts should be mitigated.