Vote on land annexation for Poplar Bluff hospital site to take place soon

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Final action on the annexation and zoning of 105 acres where Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center plans to build a $170 million hospital will be taken at the next Poplar Bluff City Council meeting.

A recommendation from the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission to zone the land O-1, professional office, was discussed during the council meeting Monday night and moved to the June 6 voting session.

"The hospital can go in a zone that is not commercial," city planner Dennis Avery said. "I felt it could go in professional office zoning."

He noted the Woodland Hills Subdivision on the east side of the site is already in the city limits and there are residences outside the city limits on the west side.

PBRMC wants to build a seven-story hospital with a basement along the south side of Kanell Boulevard (Route PP) between Shelby Road and the U.S. 67 bypass. Part of the land is adjacent to the bypass.

Annexation is being requested by three landowners. Donald Bedell owns 55 acres, Steven Boyers 30 acres and Thomas and Sally Dodd 20 acres. The hospital has obtained options to purchase the land and the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee approved a certificate of need for the 250-bed hospital on May 9 in Jefferson City, Mo.

Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed in early 2014.

Sharon Gingery, who has relatives buried in the one-acre Shadle Cemetery (also called Cedar Valley Cemetery) on Bedell's property, said 65 burials have been confirmed and others may become known if records from the former Phelps Funeral Home can be obtained. Gingery and others, who have relatives buried in the cemetery, do not want the graves moved.

The dispute about the cemetery is between the relatives and the property owner. The city and the hospital are not involved, but one possible resolution may be repositioning the hospital on the site so the cemetery could remain where it is.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, MO