
In what's becoming a war of words, WellStar Health System has written its own letter responding to concerns outlined by the Cherokee County Commission in the company's request to build a health park and hospital on Sixes Road at Interstate 575.
WellStar is taking issues with County Chairman Buzz Ahrens who, on behalf of the commission, stated concerns about the development's impact on surrounding infrastructure and the impact of building a tax exempt hospital would have on the county's tax digest.
WellStar's letter, penned by Marietta attorney Richard Calhoun, points out that Holly Springs records don't indicate the county expressed concerns about a 2005 rezoning of the property to general commercial to accommodate a 422,000 square foot outlet mall.
It also points out the county allegedly did not take the concerns of Falls of Cherokee residents seriously when they started construction on its aquatic center.
The company notes those residents who spoke at the January Holly Springs Planning and Zoning Commission meeting said the county "ignored" their concerns.
"WellStar respectfully submits that the above pattern of activity is an overt acknowledgement by Cherokee County that the WellStar property is entirely appropriate for commercial and institutional development such as a medical complex proposed by WellStar," Calhoun writes.
WellStar has requested the city rezone 62 acres at the southwest corner of Sixes Road at Interstate 575 from general commercial and mixed use to entirely general commercial.
WellStar has also requested to obtain a conditional use permit to operate an institution similar to a hospital and a hospice facility or personal care home.
The Holly Springs City Council will consider voting on both requests during its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Holly Springs Municipal Court chambers.
If approved, WellStar would like to build the health park first and follow up with a hospital within the next seven to 10 years. The hospice would be built based upon future customer or service demand.
Calhoun also takes issue with the county's concerns about traffic flow on Sixes if WellStar is given the green light to develop. The attorney spells out that the peak hours for traffic flow for the entire development is less than what the Atlanta Regional Commission approved under a previous scenario.
He also states that WellStar has agreed to pay for any upgrades needed for Sixes Road and Gresham Mill Parkway.
WellStar does note the hospital portion of the project would be tax exempt as it would be a nonprofit operation. However, Calhoun pointed out there's "no reason to believe its health park facilities will not be taxable."
See the attached .PDF to read WellStar's entire letter.
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