HCA Virginia is one step closer to building a new 164-bed hospital in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., after the Loudon County (Va.) Planning Commission voted to approve the project.
Construction of the hospital is not a foregone conclusion, however, as the 5-4 vote by the planning commission came after three hours of tense debate. The Loudon County Board of Supervisors will make the final decision on HCA's application for a zoning special exception at a January 2009 meeting.
"The Planning Commission has confirmed not only that our applications meet the relevant standards, but, in a larger sense, that building BRMC in Ashburn is consistent with Loudon's land use policies," Margaret Lewis, president of HCA's capital division, said in a statement after the commission vote. "This action represents a key endorsement by the leadership body charged with evaluating all of the significant development projects in the county."
HCA wants to build a 24-hour acute-care hospital, called Broadlands Regional Medical Center, on 57.7 acres in Loudon County. HCA submitted a similar proposal in 2005, but it was rejected by the board of supervisors.
Supporters say the new hospital will bring 600 jobs and $4 million in annual tax revenue to the northern Virginia county. HCA has also promised $11 million to $15 million in transportation improvements to lessen the hospital's effects on traffic.
Critics oppose its planned location. They claim the facility would hurt Inova Loudon Hospital, which is about five miles from HCA's proposed site.
Supervisors have until May 20 to make a final decision on the hospital.