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461 <br /> <br />Item 6e <br />Z-89-530, Application of Valleycare Associates for design review <br />approval to construct an approximately 87,000 sq. ft. acute care <br />hospital, a .45,000 sg. ft. medical office building, an 8,000 sg.. <br />ft. central plant, and a 6,500 sq. ft. helipad at the Valleycare <br />Medical Center located at 5555 West Las Positas Boulevard <br /> <br /> Mr. Swift presented his report (SR 89:461) regarding the <br />matter. <br /> <br /> Mr. Mercer declared the public hearing open on the <br />application. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bob Fish, President of Valleycare Associates, 4637 Chabot <br />Drive, presented the project. He explained that the helipad is <br />predicated on the future development of a tower building on which <br />the helicopter would land. Until such time, the helicopter would <br />land on the helipad. The volume of flight would be one per week; <br />during take-off and landing, the accepted noise level would be <br />exceeded. The reason for the helicopter is to transport emergency <br />patients to the center. He added that he would be willing to <br />provide a noise study if the Council would require it for a <br />conditional use permit. He also pointed out that the long-term <br />plan for the project would address traffic and sewage concerns. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brandes commented that the helipad is a life-saving <br />issue, and the noise should be tolerated. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mohr inquired what the comparison would be between an <br />ambulance siren and a helicopter's noise. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fish replied that both exceed the single-incident decibel <br />level specified by the General Plan. The ambulance sirens are <br />required for intersection travel and will be turned off prior to <br />approaching the residential area near the site. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tarver asked if there would be a significant problem <br />about doing more study on the noise or working on the potential of <br />relocating the pad to mitigate the noise. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fish answered that the noise study would require spending <br />additional money, which he would be willing to do if the Council <br />required it, but he would prefer to spend the money on patient <br />care. However, if the helipad were distanced from the emergency <br />entrance to the hospital, the transport of the patient from a <br />different part of the site across a significant area becomes a <br />problem in terms of liability and proper patient care. The <br />helipad has been placed in a central location to provide the best <br />patient service and lowest liability risk. <br /> <br /> Ms. Susan Anstead of Prometheus Management Group, 2600 Campus <br />Drive in San Mateo, representing the ownership of Hacienda Gardens <br />Apartment, indicated that she is in favor of the hospital but <br />expressed concern about residents' quiet enjoyment of their homes. <br /> <br /> -13- <br /> 11-7-89 <br /> <br /> <br />