MISSION VIEJO : Plans for Expansion OKd for Hospital
The Planning Commission has approved plans for a $50-million expansion of the Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center.
The construction will add five stories and 224,000 square feet to the hospital, already South Orange County’s largest health-care facility.
In addition, the 4-0 vote Monday night clears the way for the 170-bed hospital to grow to 371 beds.
“Look at the population projections for South Orange County,” Mission Hospital Vice President Gary Fybel said. “It is anticipated that the population down here will be close to half a million people by the year 2000. South Orange County is growing and this expansion is necessary.”
When completed, the facility will house a neonatal care program, an intensive-care pediatrics ward and larger trauma facilities.
“We were full in our obstetrics ward and our intensive care ward,” Fybel said. “The need is now for us to expand.”
A handful of residents from a neighboring condominium complex showed up to complain about the proposed height of the building. The group has previously voiced concerns about noise coming from a proposed heliport.
Hospital representatives said the light helicopters using the landing pad will generate no more sound than the average family car.
The hospital now has a heliport that is used for emergencies.
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