Council has concerns over Valley Health contributions to new hospital infrastructure

Valley Health VP of Facilities Management Mark Baker, who is also a Warren County EDA Board member, addresses council concerns over infrastructure proffers tied to new hospital project. Photo/Roger Bianchini

FRONT ROYAL – At least one member of the Front Royal Town Council expressed a desire for more clarification from Valley Health on its willingness to pay for infrastructure improvements prior to a vote on a rezoning to enable construction of a new hospital off Leach Run Parkway.

At a Monday, March 5 work session Councilman Eugene Tewalt asked for a commitment on some necessary road and utility improvements before voting to approve a change from current RS (Residential Suburban) and A-1 (Agricultural) zoning to MCD (Mixed Commercial Development) for Valley Health’s 147-acre parcel.

According to the staff summary, Valley Health has amended its original financial proffer on design and construction of signalization at the hospital’s main entrance from $175,000 to up to $300,000. However, Tewalt appeared concerned that a timeframe for that construction was noted on a condition that it be requested by the town government within five years “from the date an occupancy permit is issued.”

And while the wording seems to put the Town in control of the timing of the request, were it decided not to be necessary immediately, Tewalt may have been troubled by the potential once on the shelf that the request might slip between the cracks amidst future council and staff turnover.

Staff noted that $300,000 might not cover the total cost of the project dependent upon when it occurred, as well as other variables including design parameters and right-of-way acquisitions.

Traffic concerns revolve at least in part around the planned hospital’s proximity adjacent to Warren County Middle School and the planned HEPTAD Swan Estates residential property.

Another concern was the cost of extending a “redundant underground electrical transmission line” to the new hospital, estimated at a cost of $731,282. While staff noted the utility issue wasn’t directly related to the rezoning application,  the fact that the Town does not currently have the funding in place for that project needed to be addressed.

Staff also noted the absence of any commitment to fund a future traffic signal at Oden Street, where a second entrance to the hospital would be located; or at the nearby entrance to the Swan Estates residential project. Staff observed that while Valley Health should not be expected to fund 100-percent of those projects, that the hospital’s proximity was “a significant contributing factor” in expediting the need for signalization at both locations.

Valley Health Vice President for Facilities Management Mark Baker was present and said while some of the concerns, like the electrical utility costs came as a surprise, that Valley Health was “open to discussion” on those and other concerns.

Town Manager Joe Waltz noted that there was one more council work session available for further discussion before a scheduled public hearing on the rezoning request scheduled for the March 26 council meeting.

Councilman Jacob Meza recused himself from the discussion due to his position with Valley Health.