It will be at least another month before Emporia Planning Commissioners decide on how to proceed with proposed zoning code text changes after the commission tabled the matter Tuesday.
The decision to table the discussion came as part of the commission’s monthly meeting which had to be moved from the White Auditorium Little Theatre to the main auditorium due to the evening’s turnout exceeding the theatre’s capacity limit. The majority of attendees included representatives of Newman Regional Health, the entity proposing the text changes, and Stormont-Vail, the entity that recently announced plans for a better than $30 million medical facility in Emporia.
As part of her comments to commissioners Tuesday, Newman CEO Cathy Pimple spoke to the competitive environment that is created when multiple entities exist in the same community. She stated while that may be commonplace within larger communities, it could be detrimental within smaller rural communities such as Emporia.
When asked his thoughts on this point, Stormont-Vail President Dr. Robert Kenagy stated he felt it was a “weak argument.”
Near the end of his comments to the commission Tuesday evening, Dr. Kenagy stated “We deserve to be a local healthcare provider.” When asked his meaning with that statement, Dr. Kenagy tells KVOE News his comment was directed at what he referred to as “baseless” comments towards their team and organization that he claims insinuates they are not a local health care provider.
Following comments by Newman and Stormont leadership, the floor was opened up to additional comments many of which came from both Newman and Stormont-Vail employees. Speaking in favor of the changes was Newman Controller Danica Case who expressed concerns that bringing a new facility to Emporia could mean the end of Newman.
Case, a lifelong Emporian, says her role with the hospital is the main reason she remains a member of the community.
Among those to speak in opposition of the text change was Dr. Todd Detwiler the Primary Care and Family Care Physician of Emporia’s Cotton O’Neil Clinic. During his comments, Dr. Detwiler stated “Somehow the narrative got to Stormont is going to come and close the hospital” adding there is “no scenario where closing this hospital makes sense.”
Detwiler pointed to an “issue of access” across the state to illustrate his point.
The motion to table the matter was made by Commissioner Raymond Rogers who stated respectfully “What I heard tonight was a lot of opinions, I did not hear a lot of facts.”
Commissioners voted 5-2 to table the matter with Rogers, Chairman Kenton Thomas and Commissioners Larry Bucklinger, Ken Weaver and Bill Barnes voting in favor. Commissioners Monica Duncan and Tammy Ogle voted against the motion but were unavailable for comment following the meeting.
Commissioners will continue their review of the proposed zoning changes during their next monthly meeting in December. Once the commission decides whether or not to recommend the zoning changes, the item will go before the Emporia City Commission for final action.
If approved, the zoning changes would require outside medical entities to specify the nature and extent of services to be provided, the extent of services already being provided and how current services are inadequate for community needs.
If you missed Tuesday’s hearing on the proposed code text changes, you can view it on KVOE’s Facebook page.
Videos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
