Oakland Park commissioners can’t discuss hospital proposal
OAKLAND PARK — Commissioners haven’t decided the fate of a proposal to turn the formerNorth RidgeMedical Center into a psychiatric and behavioral health treatment center yet, but don’t try talking to them about it.
They can’t discuss it with you — or even hear what you have to say.
The commission held a public hearing on theproposalWednesdaynight. However, with dozens of speakers on the subject, commissioners weren’t able to wrap up before the city’s requirement that commission meetings end by 11 p. m. The hearing will continue March 5. In the meantime, City Attorney C. J. Doody warned commissioners not to speak with anyone about the issue, or read emails or messages on the subject.
That’s because the hearing is “quasi- judicial.” Commissioners received sworn testimony from the public and are now acting as judges in determining if Palm Partners LLC should be given permission to turn the vacant hospital into a 300- bed center mainly treating substance abusers.
All they can consider isWednesday’s testimony. And because the public comment portion of the hearing is over, residentswon’t get another chance to speak about the proposal at the next meeting, either — unless one of the commissioners asks a resident a question.
Commissioners were in the question- asking portion when the meeting ended. They will finish up their questions at the March 5 meeting and then discuss and vote on the issue. Nearby residents are opposed to the proposal because they fear clients there will haveanegativeimpactonchildrenattendinga half- dozen schools in the area, including Northeast High and Rickards Middle schools. The hospital is in the 5600 block of Dixie Highway.
They weren’t satisfied by assurances that the clients would have no contact with the surrounding community, that there would be no walk- in patients and that the property would be screened by improved fencing and landscaping.
PalmPartnersCEOPeterHarrigan said his company plans a $ 20 million investment that will bring up to 300 jobs to the area. The center would initially open with 80 employees and 60 beds and gradually expand to 300 beds over two years, he said.
“We are a Betty Ford- type center on the East Coast,” Harrigan said. “We treat celebrities, doctors, lawyers, pilots, professional athletes and Middle America.”
The information didn’t persuade residents, who doubted they could afford the prices Palm Partners charges if they were to need treatment.
“There are a ton of children in this neighborhood,” Andrew Fatalo said. “For a facility that’s going to be this sizebetweentwoschool zones, it’s not acceptable.”
Thecommission also receiveda letter from attorneyJamesK. Green, saying the citycould face a lawsuit if it denies the application because people with addictions are protected under the Americans with DisabilitiesAct.