Stateline hospital hearing set for Aug. 28

A hearing on a zoning text and map amendment is scheduled for Aug. 28, residents opposing construction of a hospital in Stateline were told on Tuesday.

Around 16 people spoke during opening public comment with only a few supporting moving Barton Memorial Hospital to Nevada.

A noticing error resulted in the hearing’s delay until the end of the month, Planner Kate Moroles-O’Neil told planning commissioners.

The amendments require a change in Douglas County ordinance, which isn’t scheduled to be heard until Sept. 19 by county commissioners, Planning Commission Chairman Kirk Walder said.

That would be a first reading where the ordinances were introduced before the county could take action in October at the earliest.

Concerns ranged from the proposed 85-foot height of the building to an ER and helicopter pad.

Barton Health President & CEO Dr. Clint Purvance made a presentation on the project located at the site of the former Lakeside Inn.

The hospital is proposing to build a 55-bed facility and 200,000 square feet of acute care. The hospital will adjoin Laura Drive and the Oliver Park General Improvement District.

The hospital purchased the former Lakeside Inn two years ago after the coronavirus outbreak resulted in its permanent closure.

Walder urged Purvance to review a submittal by Oliver Park resident John Grigsby, which details reason s for his opposition to moving the hospital.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to has believed Barton was building more of the same two-story buildings on our side of the highway on the old Lakeside Inn site,” he said. “Just a few weeks ago, the Oliver Park General Improvement District board finally got hold of some of Barton’s plans. They were worse than anyone could have imagined.”