Milton medical office applicants request hearing date change
A vote on a controversial proposal for a medical office complex in Milton may not happen Aug. 3, if Town Council agrees to the applicant’s request for a continuance.
At issue in front of Town Council at its 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3 meeting at Grace Church is an ordinance that would continue the public hearing to an unconfirmed date. Town Manager Kristy Rogers said that from the time council accepts an advisory report from the Planning and Zoning Commission, it has 60 days to hold a public hearing and vote. Council accepted the commission’s report – which recommended not rezoning the property – on June 15, so a vote would have to be taken by Aug. 15.
Council members will debate the extension ordinance and accept public comment on the request. If council adopts the ordinance, it will then adopt a resolution setting a new public hearing date. If the ordinance is not adopted, council will move forward with the public hearing on the rezoning request.
Town Solicitor Seth Thompson said John Paradee, attorney for applicant Phoenix RCHS Holdings, indicated the request was in light of the present state of emergency and ongoing pandemic, which has led to his client’s inability to proceed with the hearing on Aug. 3. Thompson said Paradee would be on hand Aug. 3 to speak about the request. When asked if he had any comment on why the request is being made, Paradee said, “No, but it should be obvious.”
Phoenix RCHS Holdings is seeking to build two medical office buildings on a nearly 8-acre site on Mulberry Street with one of the buildings to be occupied by Beebe Healthcare. The buildings would be used primarily for outpatient services.
In order to facilitate building the complex, Phoenix RCHS Holdings is requesting to rezone the parcel from R-1 residential to C-1 commercial. Property owners around the parcel, which is across from H.O. Brittingham Elementary School, have objected to the proposed plan, citing concerns about traffic and safety, among other issues. In general, those opposed have said they do not object to the idea of the project, just the location.
Council to accept committee report on annexation
Besides the public hearing on the medical office complex, Milton Town Council will vote on whether to accept an advisory report from the Special Review Committee that recommends annexing a 7.68-acre parcel of land at the corner of Union Street Extended and Route 16.
The annexation also includes an amendment to the town’s comprehensive development plan.
