Sentara clears path to new Chesapeake center

After running into a snag at City Hall, Sentara Healthcare is now moving forward on a $6.1 million plan to build a 46,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center in Greenbrier.

The outpatient facility, which will have office space for physicians, will be on the southeast corner of Executive Boulevard and Volvo Parkway, near a medical office building Sentara opened in 2004.

The region's largest health system ran into problems at City Hall in July, after a building permit was issued for the ambulatory surgery center.

The site plan for the surgery center was approved in 2002, but Sentara was told by Chesapeake officials that a code change in 2007 now requires companies to obtain a conditional use permit for any medical care facility.

Securing a conditional use permit can be a long process that involves getting City Council approval.

So Sentara appealed Chesapeake officials' ruling, and the Planning Commission on Wednesday agreed the company didn't need the conditional use permit. Officials with Sentara say construction could begin soon.

"We're going full steam," said Kurt Hofelich, vice president for ambulatory operations and rehab for Sentara Healthcare. "We're ready to go."

Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com