The hospital originally tried to use a smaller piece of property to build a multi-level parking garage, but costs could have reached as much as $26 million and the plan was dropped. Costs for the surface-only parking plan are expected to be significantly less.
To proceed, the hospital needs several approvals from the city, and has already conducted a traffic impact study and a species at risk screening memo to gauge the impact on local species in the area.
“HSN will be applying to amend the existing site plan agreement between HSN and the City of Greater Sudbury to permit the construction of the expanded surface parking area,” a planning department report says.
While recommending the application be approved, the hospital would have to pay $75,000 for its share of an environmental assessment required to study ways to improve traffic flow in the area. The full cost of the study is estimated at $300,000.
“However, as a condition of any additional development on the HSN site, the owner will be required to update the traffic impact study and agree to participate in the cost of any upgrades or improvements identified to the satisfaction of the general manager of Infrastructure Services,” the report says.
Adding the space will help employees who currently have to park city-owned lands south of the former St. Joseph Hospital site and at the northwest corner of Paris and York streets. Many employees have also parked at nearby Lily Creek sports complex, causing issues there.
“It is anticipated that the additional parking will benefit HSN visitors as well,” the report says. “HSN is not seeking to add any gross floor area to its facilities through these applications at this time.”
Access the full report here: http://agendasonline.greatersudbury.ca/index.cfm?pg=feed&action=file&agenda=report&itemid=5&id=759
