City Council OKs plans for Mystic Heights
Constitution-Tribune, Tuesday, Sep 15, 2009

After nearly an hour of discussion regarding plans for a new housing development, Chillicothe City Council members Monday night unanimously approved a conditional use permit and preliminary plat for Mystic Heights Subdivision. The subdivision, to be developed by David Buttman and Randy Constant, of Mystic Land Development LLC, of Chillicothe, is being planned for around 13 acres of the old Chillicothe Correctional Center site on the north side of Third Street. One hundred medium-income level housing units are planned, with the half of them to be completed within five years.

The conditional use permit was required because the developer is proposing to reduce the exterior boundary setback requirement from 35 feet to 25 feet and reducing the required minimum for lot size. The conditional user permit also waives the 20-foot exterior boundary landscape area. There will also be a reduction of common or dedicated open space from 35 percent of the development to 5 percent. The average size per single family lot will be around 60 feet by 120 feet.

The matter had been unanimously recommended for approval by the city’s planning and zoning board.

The first phase to be developed is along the west side of the property and consists of four single family dwellings and two duplexes. It is hoped that the first phase would be completed next year. The following phase would be at the southwest corner. The final phase would take place along the north part of the property.

The housing units are projected to be in the $90,000 to $130,000 price range and build for various demographics and age groups. Phase I will test the market and help the developer determine what type of unit is going to sell the best. The proposed development calls for the units’ garages to be accessed through alleys behind the housing units.

Most of the discussion Monday night took place between members of the public who had questions about the project and project architect Brian Hendrickson. Residents expressed concerns about the community not having a demand for additional housing and the need for more senior housing. It was noted that if the development tends to attract senior citizens then future development may be tailored more toward the senior population. Hendrickson said that a majority of the homes would have universal access and some units, where possible, would not have steps. Members of the public also expressed concerns about proposed buildings which would house multiple housing units (up to six per building), fire safety concerns, and the possibility of the units becoming rental properties. Hendrickson addressed the fire safety concerns and he also said that it is the intent of the developer to sell - not rent - the housing units.

Development plans for the former Chillicothe Correctional Center south of Third Street have yet to be determined. The mayor-appointed prison committee was to meet Tuesday and vote one of two proposals to recommend to the City Council.

The council on Monday night also approved temporary street closings for two parades: the Kiwanis Club Kids Day Parade on Saturday, September 19, and the 2009 CHS Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 25.

Mayor Chuck Haney presided over the meeting with the full council present. In other business, the Council:

• Passed an ordinance accepting the Airport State Block Grant Amendment which allocates the city's 2007 ($150,000) and 2008 ($150,000) federal non-primary entitlement funds and extends the project time period to complete the project scopes currently in progress. The project involves expansion of a runway at the municipal airport and the grant money is to be used for land acquisition, environmental assessment, design for 2/20 runway extension, windcone, segmented circle, PAPI, and an electrical vault.
• Approved the payment of invoices, $1,361,536.72, and payroll, $120,519.33.

Following the regular meeting, the council met in executive session with no votes being taken according to City Administrator Dean Brookshier.

Hospital Study Progresses
By Catherine Stortz Ripley, Constitution-Tribune
Tuesday, Sept 15, 2009

The consulting group hired to develop a feasibility study for construction of a new hospital in Chillicothe is now evaluating potential sites for construction. Representatives from WIPFLI CPA and Consultants as well as from of Walker and Associates, addressed city council members Monday night during their regular council meeting at City Hall.

Through a request for proposals, the city received submissions of eight potential hospital sites. These sites, along with four which are currently owned by the city, are now being reviewed. It is anticipated that by mid-November, WIPFLI will make a site recommendation to the council.

Bob Walker, of Walker & Associates, said the city could expect to spend up to $20,000 or $30,000 more on the hospital study before the issue goes to the vote of the people. This cost would pay an architect to develop a site plan, floor plan and, possible, a rendering of the proposed building.

The council was in agreement that the citizens of Chillicothe should vote on whether a new hospital is built, acknowledging that some residents in the community feel a new hospital is not needed. That vote could come in February 2010 or April 2010.

John Dao, of WIPFLI, made the hospital presentation with Walker to the council and fielded questions from the council as well as from members of the public. He said that objectives and goals are to maintain a transparent process, develop a hospital with no tax increase to community members, pay for the hospital using revenue bonds issued by the city in conjunction with a significant increase in reimbursement from the federal government’s critical access hospital program.

The feasibility study considers replacing the existing Hedrick Medical Center, which currently is a 25-bed critical access hospital. The proposed new hospital would still be a 25-bed critical access hospital but would be more energy efficient and built to more efficiently for staffing. Proponents also state that a new facility would be a recruitment tool to attract and retain doctors as well as patients. Those opposed to the idea of a new hospital state that the existing hospital is in good shape and does not negatively affect the hiring and retaining of doctors, nor does it impact attracting or retaining patients.

The council chambers were full Monday night with various city department managers and concerned members of the public.