OP Regional Hospital approved to expand

After months of deliberation, the Overland Park Regional Medical Center received approval to expand.

The Overland Park City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve the addition of several buildings to the hospital's existing campus at I-435 and Quivira Road.

The approval comes after an agreement was made between the hospital and the residents who live in the Oak Park Neighborhood, a residential area 50 feet to the north of the proposed additions. 

Darby Trotter lives in the Oak Park Neighborhood and says the neighborhood's major concerns were the building's setback, height and landscaping.  Residents were also concerned by the 375-foot long wall of the proposed parking garage that stands between 14 and 20 feet tall. 

The hospital presented to council several changes to their project.  

John Peterson, an attorney representing the hospital, said the project would include a retaining wall that would hide the first floor of the additional building.  Peterson also said only the top four feet of the parking garage wall would be visible. 

Peterson said a 6-foot privacy fence would be built between the hospital and the houses directly to the north.  Peterson said if homeowners already have a fence, they would have the option of getting a new fence from the hospital. 

The new plan also calls for a walking trail that would connect other trails and would have lights, seating areas and signs with historical information on them. 

Peterson said the trail and fence would be on the hospital's property and be maintained by hospital. 

Trotter and his neighbors say they were pleased with the hospital's changes and recommended the council to approve the project.

Both the hospital and the neighbors say that are happy with the council's decision and are happy to move forward.