Beaumont returns with high hopes

Beaumont Hospital is back before township planners Thursday.
Independence Township Planning Commission is set to consider conceptual site plan approval April 10, for Beaumont’s Life Care Campus on the corner of I-75 and M-15.
‘Certainly it was very clear when we were there last December there were a few issues that remained, but what we’re mainly concerned about is the quality of healthcare we can bring to the area and the support we can bring the community,? said Eric Hunt, vice president of operations for William Beaumont Hospital ambulatory services.
‘We are trying to be very sensitive to the concerns that have been raised by the residents and the planning commission throughout this 2-year process.?
Beaumont made changes to their site plan, reducing its size, relocating buildings, creating a nature park, and trying to make this site compatible with surrounding area and master plan, Hunt said.
Some issues the board wanted clarified when they tabled the issue last December included traffic for all three phases, a complete breakdown of tax revenue, and impact on wetlands.
‘We’ve made progress with every issue that was brought up last time,? said Hunt. ‘We think we’ve provided the answers to the commission on each of those issues and we’re ready to go back and present our case. We believe we’re ready for conceptual review approval.?
Sam Moraco, planning commission chairman, said there was not enough information at the last meeting and he hopes this meeting will give Beaumont a ‘clear direction? on the project.
‘We are looking forward to having a full submittal,? said Moraco. ‘We’re hoping that that’s the case, so we can do something with it one way or another. It’s a good thing, I think, for the township to be able to see what the next step is going to be.?
Hunt said they have also met with homeowners near the property on Cranberry Lake Road.
Between April 1-4, Beaumont hired a marketing research firm to conduct a telephone survey in order to get opinions and feedbacks on resident’s thoughts about the proposed hospital. Results indicated most neighbors support the project, Hust said.
‘We are very excited about the results and think it demonstrates overall strong community support for this project,? he said
‘The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. at Clarkston Junior High School, located at 6595 Waldon Road.