‘I’m very excited about this.? ? Dr. James O’Neill, long-time resident and Clarkston Medical Group physician.
‘This is the best thing that’s happened with the community? It’s a great shot in the arm. ? ? Dr. Tom Wilhelm.
‘I’m interested in this project. Right now, I drive 14 miles each way to my primary hospitals? I love the idea of this, and I’m not affiliated with Clarkston Medical Group.? ? Dr. Steve Warner, local surgeon and 34-year resident.
The atmosphere of the Feb. 9 Independence Township Planning Commission meeting was approving from the many doctors and residents in attendance after hearing McLaren Health Care Corporation’s plans for a new ‘Health Care Village.?
McLaren presented the estimated $600 million medical care village, located on 75 acres in the southeast corner of I-75 and Sashabaw Road along Bow Pointe Road , for the first time during the meeting. The proposed three phase project will include medical offices, a cancer center, surgery center, urgent care, heart center and hospital.
According to Phil Incarnati, President and CEO of McLaren Health Care Corp., McLaren has worked on plans for a medical village in Independence Township for some time now.
‘We’ve had positive feedback from community stakeholders,? said Incarnati. ‘This is a strategic fit with our corporation. This would represent a southern anchor for our corporation.?
McLaren Health Care Corporation is the fourth largest integrated health care system in Michigan with six regional medical centers. The company has around $2.3 billion in annual revenues with $1 billion in total assets. The corporation serves almost 33 percent of all Michigan residents over 21 counties.
‘Why McLaren? They said the magic word,? said O’Neill, who along with Clarkston Medical Group will spearhead the campus. ‘They said, ‘We want to be your community hospital.??
The biggest question posed after McLaren’s presentation was whether or not the corporation would be able to get a ‘certificate of need.?
In order to do business in an area, health care centers and hospitals must demonstrate a need for a particular health care service in the community. This is done through the Certificate of Need Section of the Michigan Department of Community Health.
Potential hospitals apply for a CON with the Certificate of Need Commission, which will accept or deny the request based on the standards set for the area. If denied, the health care corporation can apply for the standards to be changed, and the ultimate decision then lies with the governor and legislature.
Incarnati explained to board members the CON process can take a number of years to complete, but the planning process can move forward without them. He does anticipate needing CONs for not only the hospital, but also for other units such as the cancer and heart centers.
‘I believe we can display this effectively,? said Incarnati. ‘I can’t say we will get one for certain, but I can say this: I’ve never been denied a CON.?
According to Independence Township Planner Dick Carlisle, McLaren is applying for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) rezoning, which gives the township the most control over the proposed development. McLaren’s presentation on Jan. 9 was the first step in the process.
The next step is for the health care corporation to submit township requested information and meet with the township planner, engineers and building officials. Carlisle said he does not anticipate a public hearing for quite some time.
‘We consider with (Planned Unit Developments)’s ‘the devil’s in the details,?? said Carlisle. ‘The project requires a lot of information and that takes time.?
Carlisle gave a brief overview of some issues the township will face with this development. Just a few of those points include the proposed height of the hospital at five stories, the fact that the township has always worked to keep that particular area as a ‘growth area for the tax base,? and the possible impact on the areas infrastructure.
The township’s engineering firm, building department and attorneys did not present any reports or comments during the meeting.