Critics and proponents of Valley Hospital expansion make final pleas to planning board
JUNE 3, 2014, 6:36 AM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014, 6:38 AM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
It was their last chance and they took it.
On Monday night, 43 residents told planning board members how to vote on The Valley Hospital’s plan to nearly double in size, their last opportunity to voice an opinion before the board votes in two weeks.
Board members remained impassive for more than three hours as residents spoke for and against the expansion plan, some telling personal stories while others tried to review expert testimony given during the past 15 months of hearings.
Proponents of Valley’s plan to expand from 562,000 square feet to 995,000 square feet noted that less than 200 people showed up for the meeting, questioning whether a majority of village residents really do oppose the plan.
At the same time, opponents of the plan noted that out of the 10 people who spoke in favor of the project, about 7 or 8 were Valley employees or physicians.
“I urge you to consider voting for this change,” said David Sayles, a Valley supporter who talked about having loved ones in both Valley and another hospital in New York City. “It’s a lot easier for family members to go next door when a family member is in the hospital and going through a hard time. It’s a wrong decision to just shoot it all down.”
But those who want board members to vote in favor of the master plan amendment that Valley is seeking were vastly outnumbered by opponents, who repeatedly reminded the board that the 6-year construction project will likely affect students attending the Benjamin Franklin Middle School next to the hospital.
By and large, the “supporters” of this project who spoke at the last two meetings were, in some way, shape, or form, collecting a paycheck from Valley. And you really have to wonder about the “hundreds” of supporters that did not show up last night, or ANY night for that matter. Why this town let this preposterous proposal that really defies logic go on this long is truly fascinating.
How many “supporters” live near the hospital (and are not doctors, employees of Valley, etc.)?
I think Valley Hospital wants a 9 story building so that its patients can see their likely destination if they are at Valley for something serious. I mean with a 9 story building they will have an unobstructed view of the cemetery!
Even the supporters are burned out after all these years.
I feel for the families who told personal stories.
Valley is not shutting down , they are just not going to expand as much as they would like.
this is where you are wrong…. they are happy to play long ball and wear out the residents until they get their way.
#5 is 100% correct.
The master plan needs to be changed so that developers cannot ask for ‘spot zoning’ to suit them.
Leave the zoning as is, and make everyone, whether Valley, or an apartment developer have to operate within the current zoning, and get variances approved.
It keeps everything more within reasonable sizes, footprints, etc.
As it currently is, allowing someone to change zoning is a lottery ticket for the speculator who bought the land.
#7 is dead on balls accurate! Follow the rules that are in place to protect all of us. Valley Hospital, developers, and tax paying residents!
It’s not East vs. West. When you change H-Zones, Master plans, and variances…you are asking for future problems. Double Valley’s size, allow heights too high for the CDB, etc. You will get higher taxes, due to the need for more services. Traffic is bound to increase and cause problems getting to any side of town.
The answer has always been no to these requests. Why would the current board or council even entertain any of these requests? Your job and elected jobs are to follow the rules and in force them. Stop the nonsense. Logic and reasoning will prevail?