McLaren Health Care cleared another hurdle in its quest to build a health park on Sashabaw Road.
The Independence Township Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant conceptual site plan approval to the proposed 79-acre development.
?(The vote) is an indication that the township is going to look at the plan, that we’re interested,? said George Krull, commission member.
‘It gives the applicant and the township an opportunity to assess the overall picture.?
McLaren has worked to comply with requests for more information made by the planning commission at its Sept. 21 public hearing, said Kevin Tompkins, vice president of marketing at McLaren.
‘This is a huge step ? it’s an indication of support from the planning commission,? Tompkins said.
McLaren planners worked with township planner Richard Carlisle, president of Carlisle/Wortman Associates to resolve the issues that led to the commission tabling the conceptual site plan approval.
One issue was the amount of tax revenue the development would generate.
The commission approved the conceptual plan contingient on a study of the effect the development would have on taxes. Commission members are concerned that the not-for-profit hospital operation would lower tax revenue.
McLaren has commissioned an independent assessment by Ernst and Young of the tax-revenue potential of the health park versus a light-industrial office park.
‘My early sense is that it will demonstrate that the tax revenue generated from the McLaren project would be greater,? Tompkins said.
The study would assume that the property would be fully developed as an office park, he said.
‘We’ve rolled up our sleeves and done a good job working together to solve the issues,? he said.
Another issue is the height of the proposed five-story hospital towers ? two would be included.
McLaren has adjusted its plan to provide more screening of the buildings from Sashabaw Road. Still at issue is the liability to the township and McLaren for fire protection, since the township does not have fire trucks that can reach that high.
McLaren representatives will present their plan to the planning commission on Dec. 14 for final site plan approval. The plan will then go before the Township Board for its approval. If these requirements are met, then McLaren would have to obtain a Certificate of Need permit from the state.