HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 08-13 St. John's gets special permit THE REVIEW Single Copy 30` WED.,AUG. 13, 1980
St. John 's gets
special permit
On a 4 to 1 vote the Maplewood City gymnasium.
Council granted Health Resources,Inc.a Ronald Erickson,2669 Hazelwood St.,
special use permit to conduct community was the only person from the neigh-
service programs at the former horhood speaking at the meeting.He said
Hazelwood Elementary School building. most of his neighbors were not at the
Councilwoman Fran Juker was the only gathering because "they think it (ap-
person voting Aug.7 against the permit proval of the permit)is cut and dry.But,I
for Health Resources, the parent cor- don't believe that.
poration of St.John's Hospital of St.Paul. "I don't know what is the best use for
Acting on the staff's recommendation the school but I'm not so sure it this
for approval, the council granted the program."Erickson said he did not think
permit for one year.It may be renewed if St. John's using the former school
the council determines the use has no building was compatible with the neigh-
adverse impact on the neighborhood. borhood. He also was concerned about
The school parking lot has 52 spaces, increased traffic as a result of the St.
which concerned the council members. John's programs.
They are worried that the people at- Juker said the approval of the permit
tending the programs at the former was not a cut and dryed issue.
school will not have adequate parking Councilman Norm Anderson said,"I'm
available and will need to park along so much in the dark about the programs
nearby streets. they plan to have at the building."
The council members agreed that in a Juker told the audience,"He has the
year they will review the parking same questions I do.I would like to know
situation,to see if any problems exist. what's really going in there.
St.John's plans to operate several of its "We know what two or three of the
programs at the former school. They programs will be.The rest they are going
include: a treatment program for to lease out and they don't know what they
chemically dependent outpatient are going to get.They are only hoping for
adolescents and adults; home care community things,"she said.
nurses, a hospice for terminally ill Health Resources,Inc.,purchased the
patients, home care counselors, and school for$875,000 on May 22 from North
therapists. St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School
The hospital staff will also lease parts of District 622.The corporation's long range
the building to community service plans call for relocating St. John's
organizations.The city of Maplewood will Hospital one block north of the former
have access to the ball diamonds and school building.