11.28.22 Bellflower City Council Hearing
CUP Modification Request
Los Angeles Community Hospital at Bellflower
1 The Hospital’s Current Operations
2 32 beds – 100% voluntary Behavioral Health
By comparison, the prior hospital operated 144 beds
No emergency department or acute care
Less traffic and no siren noise than prior hospital operator No noise complaints since new ownership
2 Original Application Expanded Hospital by Adding 60 Behavioral Health Beds
3 National mental health crisis
1 in 24 Californians have serious mental illness
1/3 of 130,000 homeless suffer from mental illness
Shortage of behavioral health beds in CA
The need to increase the number of behavioral health beds to 92 total 60 new beds will create 100+ permanent high-skilled jobs Treat 5,000 patients a year
3 What The City Has Already Approved
(CUP 16-05)
4 92 total beds (all behavioral)
A change of use from a mix of Behavioral and Medical (including an urgent care) to 100% Behavioral, and no urgent care
Conditions of Approval required beautification of buildings and grounds Includes increasing height of block wall from 6’ to 8’
Includes façade modifications for a more contemporary look Upgrade landscape and signage
Improvements to address ADA accessibility
4 Overview: What The Hospital Seeks to Modify
5 The Hospital only seeks to modify 3 of the most expensive conditions of approval from CUP 16-05, due to financial infeasibility
1) Elimination of requirement to increase height of block wall No emergency room; no acute care; no ambulance sirens; less noise; less traffic
2) Modification of façade improvements
The proposal still improves the façade with a more contemporary look
3) Modification of lighting requirements
Existing lighting is sufficient, and neighbors disapprove of changes
5 Overview: Financial Considerations
6 The original cost projection for all improvements associated with the 2016 CUP $5.8 million If the changes are approved, the total will be reduced to $2.2 million, representing a cost reduction of $3.6 million
The Hospital wants to achieve the City’s beautification goals, but needs to do so at a lower price point Financial infeasibility of original improvements
Cannot increase to 60 much-needed beds without these savings Cannot create 100+ jobs without these savings
6 1) Perimeter Block Wall Requirement
7 The requirement to raise wall from 6’ to 8’ was due to noise impacts, and the change is no longer necessary
Noise study conducted and showed no need for the additional 2’ with the Hospital’s proposed operations Hospital is strictly a behavioral health facility
Patients typically do not drive and have fewer visitors Number of cars and traffic is substantially lower than the prior hospital operation No emergency department
Less police/ambulance traffic and siren noise in and around the facility None of the prior noise-generating activities that the previous hospital had in place are currently operative Neighbors want no change (Packet, pp. 55-63)
7 1) Perimeter Block Wall Requirement
8 Existing block wall is in good condition structurally and visually
Proposed 8-foot block wall would require complete demolition of existing 6-foot high wall, construction of new wall with new footings, etc.
Estimated cost of this project is $1.6 million
8 2) Façade Improvements
9 New design makes significant cosmetic changes to improve the façade of the building, improve all signage throughout the property and beautify the street Original plan submitted with CUP 16-05 would have required structural changes to the building which would require OSHPD approval Would take several years to complete
Excessive costs estimated over $2.5 million (just for façade)
9 Option 1 ALTA
BELLFLOWER
EXTERIOR DESIGN CONCEPT
10 Option 1 ALTA
BELLFLOWER
EXTERIOR DESIGN CONCEPT
11 Option 1 ALTA
BELLFLOWER
EXTERIOR DESIGN CONCEPT
12 Option 1 ALTA
BELLFLOWER
EXTERIOR DESIGN CONCEPT
13 14
3) Elimination of New Lighting
15 Existing lights in the parking lot will sufficiently illuminate the entire parking lot Neighbors do not want any additional lighting (Packet pp. 55-63) The resolution has maintained all conditions of approval relating to lighting to ensure that it is not bothersome to neighbors, and provides sufficient lighting
15 Modification Requests for New COAs
16 COA 15: Requires all work to be done by Dec. 31, 2023.
The Hospital can commit to Dec. 2023 for all items that do not require OSHPD approval For all items that do require OSHPD approval, because that process takes so long, the Hospital requests that the date be changed to Dec. 31, 2024.
COA 19: Requires the submittal of a landscaping and irrigation plan The Hospital has already worked with the planning department and code enforcement to upgrade the landscaping, and the plans submitted with this application address and improve landscaping as well.
The Hospital requests to delete this condition as not necessary
COA 20: Requires Hospital to use existing 4 light poles, and install new decorative lighting in case of failure of parking lot lights Hospital agrees to comply with this condition, except that in case of failure of the lights, new lighting (which is opposed by neighbors) need not be installed. Rather, the existing lights should be fixed by Edison.
The Hospital requests that the phrase “…must install decorative lighting on the property to match the building subject to approval by the Director” be changed to “…must contact Edison within 30 days to resolve the issue.”
16 Conclusion
17 The Hospital wants to partner with the City to:
Expand the use and better serve the needs of the community Create jobs
Improve the look of the hospital
This is only possible if the Hospital can substantially reduce its financial burden relating to the block wall, façade, and lighting improvements
17