GREEN VALLEY, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Plans for a new hospital
in Green Valley are moving forward. But, so is the opposition.
The hospital would be located south of Continental Road in Green Valley and would serve thousands of people who would
otherwise have to go to Tucson for medical care.
However, there's concern about the
hospital's effects on surrounding areas.
The proposed hospital
would be on 22 acres on the east side Frontage Road on Interstate 19, just south of Green Valley.
The developer asked for some size and
height variances today and he got what he wanted.
Historic Canoa Ranch is about
three-quarters of a mile south. A Green Valley neighborhood is about a
quarter mile north.
The full-service hospital would be two
stories high with 32 beds to start. Everyone who spoke at the public hearing
today favored a hospital in the area, even those who spoke in
opposition to the variances.
Their concerns ranged from worries about
medical helicopters flying in and out, to their views, to their property
values.
Lisa Pope, a Green Valley
Resident said, "I feel a hospital is needed in this area. I am, however, opposed to
this particular location and subsequent zoning amendment."
Another resident, Steve Gilbert said, "The speed at which this process is occurring is mind boggling to
us."
"I understand all of you here are involved, but you don't live
there. I do," said Pam Weston.
The Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins
is about 11 miles away, the worry is light pollution affecting
telescopes.
Dan Brocious, Whipple
Observatory Mt. Hopkins Research Associate said, "Given the amount of open land
elsewhere, and where the populations centers are, there might be a better
location for this."
Pima County staff says hospital design would have to adhere to what are considered some of the most strict light
pollution codes in the country. People who favored building the hospital
had some very personal reasons, mainly the long trip to a Tucson hospital in
an emergency.
Catherine Ross told of driving behind her
husband's ambulance. "For 40 minutes, driving
up there, I did not know if my husband was alive or dead," she said.
Paul LaCroix said, "Over
the past two years I've had the privilege of two ambulance rides. One to St.
Mary's and one to St. Joseph's. There are more of those in my future. It'd sure
be nice if the ride was a bit shorter. "
Judi Monday, of Tubac said, "Your property values will increase. I am asked daily when I'm showing property
why we don't have a hospital given that the average age is 72 years old."
The vote to recommend the variances, making
the hospital slightly taller and slightly larger than current code, passed
unanimously.
The developer has promised continued
meetings with Green Valley and other residents.
The Pima County supervisors
will make the final decision, but there are many more hurdles to jump before a
hospital would open its doors in the Spring of 2014.
Copyright 2012 Tucson News Now. All rights reserved.
