Plano South | October 2022

CITY & SCHOOLS

News from Plano & Plano ISD

Hospital to add oors, move helipads to roof PLANO Medical CityPlano’s plans to expand a four-story tower to eight stories and move its three helipads from ground level to the building’s roof will proceed despite concerns from nearby neighbors. Plano City Council voted 6-1 at its Sept. 20 meeting in favor of the hospital’s expansion plans. Council Member Kayci Prince abstained from the discussion and vote. Council Member Shelby Williams voted against the rezoning case, saying he had hoped more time could be spent considering creative alternatives. “I think that most of this plan is positive. It’s good. It’s needed,” he said. “But I don’t believe that it’s an all-or-nothing equation.” The rezoning approval came after a 2-5 failed centered on the plans to add four more stories to an existing tower to increase capacity for burn, trauma and critical care patients. “We are, as a hospital, just physically out of space,” Sims told the council. The building targeted for expansion is located within 82 feet of the residential area, which does not provide enough transition “to protect the quality of life for the existing adjacent neighborhoods,” according to city planning documents. BY VALERIE WIGGLESWORTH

Ambulance Access

Current helipad location

Proposed helipad location

Direct elevator access

One study showed how the proposed eight-story building would cast a long shadow over the nearby apartments, condominiums and homes late in the day. Another study showed how noise from the helicopters would increase in duration and intensity with the landing sites on the roof. The location has the building serving as a buer between the helipads and the neighborhood. But the helicopters are still noisy, neighbors said. Council Member Anthony Ricciardelli wanted to give the hospital and residents more time to talk. But after his motion failed, he said he would vote to support the hospital’s expansion. “I am deeply sympathetic to the concerns of the neighbors and the impact this will have,” he said. “At the end of the day, saving lives is the overriding consideration.”

SOURCES: MEDICAL CITY PLANO, CITY OF PLANOCOMMUNITY IMPACT

vote to table a decision until the council’s October meeting to give the hospital and residents more time to nd a better solution. Medical City Plano is the fth-largest hospital in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the only Level 1 trauma hospital in Collin County, according to a presentation by hospital CEO Jyric Sims. That trauma designation means the hospital at Coit Road and 15th Street is able to treat the most critical patients. Plans include increasing inpatient beds, and adding two parking garages and three medical oce buildings. Much of the discussion during the meeting

PLANS FOR EXPANSION Medical City Plano

PARKBLVD.

received approval to add four more stories to the C Tower and relocate its three helipads from ground level to the roof, giving crews direct access with the elevators to the ED emergency department and OR the operating rooms.

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