Nelson city council has approved the proposed new medical clinic opposite Kootenay Lake Hospital.
The rezoning application won near unanimous support after Monday night’s public hearing.
The 21,000 sq ft medical/commercial building will go on three lots on View Street previously zoned for residential. About 11,000 sq ft will be used for medical services while there will be about 6,000 sq ft of underground parking.
Proponent Dr Andre Kirsten is delighted.
Some of the opposition to the project centred around noise, parking and privacy but
there will be screening to address that.
The public hearing also heard fears that the site was so large that it was inevitable more doctors would want to rent space there – as many as 20- and that would change the nature and feel of that residential area.
But Kirsten says the modern,spacious clinic is designed with no more than eight doctors in mind.
He says it will be a major convenience for patients needing access to hospital services across the street.
*Picture – the clinic will be built on these vacant lots opposite the hospital