By Paul Garrod
Staff writer
news4garrod@gmail.com
PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Village Council Monday night, July 13, approved a site plan review for Bronson Lakeview Hospital for expansion and improvements to relocate its emergency department.
Bronson Lakeview is seeking a 10,675 square foot expansion consisting of an addition to the west and north side of the existing building for the purpose of relocating the emergency department and improving the hospital entrance and locating a more permanent dock for the MRI trailer on the north side of the trailer, as well as modifications to vehicle circulation and parking. Exterior lighting and landscaping is also included in the project.
According to Tricia Anderson, Williams & Works, AICP, on July 2, the Paw Paw Village Planning Commission approved the special land use and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Paw Paw Village Council for the approval of the final site plan for an expansion at the existing Bronson Lakeview Hospital, at 408 Hazen St.
In a Paw Paw Village Planning Commission memorandum dated June 22, the project proposes the expansion of a non-conforming building. The special land use requires the building to be 100 feet from any property line. Because the construction of the original building on this site likely predated this zoning requirement, it is now deemed a non-conforming building. For the project to proceed as proposed, a variance must be sought from Section 42-364(c)(2), Nonconforming Buildings or Structures, which states:
1) A nonconforming building/structure shall not be altered by expansion, extension, or enlargement unless each such expansion, extension, or enlargement is in conformity with the provisions of this section.
In conformity would mean the 100-foot setback shall apply.
In approving the site plan, it would be subject to the conditions, one of which requires the approval of a variance prior to beginning any construction on the site.
The Paw Paw Planning Commission’s recommendation for approval was subject to several conditions. One of the conditions was to make a modification to the drive aisle width to satisfy a fire department recommendation, prior to the Village Council’s review of the site plan. The plans were revised accordingly.
The Zoning Board of Appeals met on July 30 and approved the variance as requested.
