A proposal by Trinity Health to expand the Trinity Health Medical Center – Brighton into a full-service hospital advanced to the next approval stage after a meeting of the Genoa Township Planning Commission Monday night.
Formerly known as the St. Joseph Mercy Brighton Health Center, the facility is proposed to become a more than 186,000-square-foot, four-story hospital with 72 inpatient beds, an expanded emergency department, surgical services and potentially a birthing center, something that has not been present in Livingston County since 2010, when the previous center closed at St. Joe Mercy Hospital in Howell, now called Trinity Health Livingston Hospital.
By a unanimous vote, the commission’s recommendation moves the plan to final approval by the township board, which could come as soon as next month.
The proposal originally came to the planning commission July 11th, but was tabled over traffic and stormwater concerns. A traffic analysis completed since then indicated no major impact, although concerns remain about making a left turn out of the facility onto Grand River.
The motion approved on Monday included language that the amended Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement would be reviewed by the township engineering staff and attorney before its sent to the township trustees for a final vote.
Planning commissioner Jeff Dhaenens told GIGO News that the applicants were able to successfully address the traffic concerns as well as the storm water retention/detention issues.
“It really makes sense with the land available, and located right in the middle of so many communities, it truly does make healthcare more accessible,” he said. ”In the township master plan that area is considered a medical corridor.”
