Saratoga News
News
Space, or lack of it, puts hospital in violation of city building codes
By Jason Sweeney
The staff at Sub-Acute Hospital of Saratoga provides specialized care for children suffering from the effects of devastating illnesses and injuries. However, because it is located in a residential neighborhood and bordered by homes, the hospital sometimes rubs its neighbors the wrong way.
Mike Zarcone, president and CEO of the hospital, has been attempting to work out differences with neighbors while running a hospital with limited space for storage and facilities. Space issues have put the hospital in violation of city building codes.
At its June 28 meeting, the Saratoga Planning Commission voted to approve modified landscape plans and allow the hospital a time extension to get in compliance with city building codes.
At a meeting of the Saratoga Planning Commission on Oct. 26, 2005, neighbors complained about two modular structures moved onto the hospital property without approval from the city. Zarcone assured the commission he would address those concerns and communicate better with neighbors. The planning commission then approved a conditional-use permit and design review that allowed the hospital to keep the two modular buildings on the hospital grounds with modifications, as well as a portable generator, and also required the construction of a trash enclosure around trash bins and improvements to the hospital's back fence. Zarcone was given six months to complete the upgrades.
On June 28, Zarcone again defended his hospital before the planning commission. More than six months have passed since October, but Saratoga building inspectors had found that the hospital is still not in compliance with the approved site plan. The violations mean the city could force the hospital to vacate its administration building until all required conditions are met and an occupancy permit is issued by the city building inspector.
To correct the violation, Zarcone submitted a new landscape plan and asked for an extension to complete it. He said bad weather over the winter and the unexpected illness of a contractor had slowed down work. He also said he was unaware he needed a building permit for changes made to a modular structure.
In public hearings June 28, neighbors voiced concerns over noise made by children playing in the hospital's back yard as well as trees that border the fence that surrounds the hospital. Theresa Mills, a neighbor of the hospital who last year noted overgrown trees and trash from the hospital's trash bin spilling over the fence into her yard, said relations with the hospital had improved since last October. But she feared new trees planted along the fence would once again grow over her property.
Zarcone said he would attempt to address the neighbors' concerns and would try to bring the hospital into compliance with city codes. However, he stated this was a challenge due to a lack of time and a lack of space on the hospital grounds. Because of various government regulations and the lack of space, the hospital is currently storing electric wheelchairs under an awning.
Proponents of the hospital noted the importance of the work Sub-Acute Saratoga does and asked the planning commission to take that into consideration when making its decision.
The planning commissioners all agreed Sub-Acute Saratoga does heroic work and said they wanted to work with the hospital. "I want to say to you that I want to thank you and your staff for what you do," Commissioner Jill Hunter said.
"The problem you have right now is that you don't have enough space to do what you need to do on that parcel of land," Commissioner Linda Rodgers said.
Commissioner Susie Nagpal said she supports the hospital but was concerned about its compliance history and wanted to hold Zarcone to his obligations.
The planning commission then voted unanimously to allow Zarcone's requested modifications to the approved landscape plans and for a time extension of six months to allow for the work to be completed.
"I was happy and surprised," Zarcone said of the decision. "It was everything I asked for."
Commissioner Robert Kundtz did not attend the meeting.
