MINOCQUA – Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) now has a clear path to build its $35 million hospital in Minocqua.
The deadline has passed for Ascension/Howard Young Medical Center to file a challenge in Oneida County Circuit Court over the county board of adjustment’s decision to grant a conditional use permit (CUP) to the Marshfield-based healthcare provider.
The board of adjustment in a 4-1 decision last Dec. 14th overturned the county planning and development committee’s decision that blocked a CUP needed to build the proposed 72,000-square-foot, 12 inpatient-bed hospital.
Ascension/HYMC had strongly opposed the CUP issuance throughout its permitting process. “Any aggrieved party may appeal this decision by filing a complaint or a petition for writ of certiorari in Oneida County Circuit Court within thirty days after the filing date of this decision,” the board of adjustment stated in its decision filed Jan. 8.
A clerk in the Oneida County Circuit Court office said Thursday they had not received a complaint or a petition for writ of certiorari (commonly referred to “cert”) against the BOA from Ascension/HYMC. A successful petition for cert, in this matter, would have resulted in a judge reviewing the board of adjustment’s findings, as well as the record of proceedings.
Oneida County zoning director Karl Jennrich said the conditional use permit authorizes the type and usage of a business in a particular zoning district. MCHS plans to build the hospital adjacent to its Minocqua Center campus.
Plans call for a birthing center, emergency services, department, imaging lab, and more, in addition to the 12 beds. MCHS will still need to come back to the county for a building permit, contingent on securing erosion control and storm water management permits from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and state approval of its building plans. Once they are received, his office would review the building plans to ensure they do not materially differ from the conditional use permit application and that they meet the board of adjustment’s conditions. The conditions, in part, stipulate that the main entrance for the public be off Highway 70 West and that no heliport be constructed.
Late Thursday, Ascension released a statement about their plans. “After careful review and discussion, with input from throughout our organization, we have made the decision not to appeal the ruling of the Oneida County Board of Adjustment. Howard Young Medical Center, part of Ascension is proud of its long history of service and our continued focus is on fulfilling our Mission of serving our community with personalized, compassionate, high quality care, with special attention to those who are most vulnerable. We will now concentrate our efforts on finalizing plans to revitalize our facility beyond our current project, which will renovate our Emergency department and Rehabilitation services. We look forward to sharing the details of future plans as soon as they are finalized. As we have been through each stage of this process, we are grateful that the members of our local government took the necessary time to thoughtfully consider the impact this proposal will have on the community. We also are very appreciative of our associates and members of our community who provided unwavering support.”
