For the week of August 15 - 21, 2001

Hearing scheduled 
for St. Luke’s office proposal

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By TRAVIS PURSER
Express Staff Writer

A controversial proposal by St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center to build an office building adjacent to its new hospital 2.5 miles south of Ketchum is scheduled for a public hearing before the Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will take place at the old Blaine County Courthouse in Hailey, and may be the only opportunity for the public to comment on St. Luke’s new plans to build a 31,179-square-foot physician office building.

The building would be 32.5 feet high. Last year, the P&Z denied St. Luke’s application to build a 38,500-square-foot, 38.5-foot-high building in nearly the same location. P&Z commissioners’ criticisms were directed largely toward the building’s size.

St. Luke’s representatives say the office building would generate critically needed revenue for the hospital.

In April, St. Luke’s completed a private mediation with county officials and members of the Blaine County Citizens for Smart Growth advocacy group to help determine how to change the denied office plan so it would pass P&Z scrutiny.

Even though the comments of county officials during the mediation session contributed to the new design, those involved with the mediation say the P&Z is not obligated to approve the new plan.

The P&Z now must hold at least one hearing on the new design.

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