CNU’s plan to build a teaching hospital in Elk Grove has dealt a major set back.
This won’t help CNU with getting full accreditation with the LCME. The lack of clinical training slots has been a major issue for the med school.
Are they allowed to resubmit the modified plan?
Unclear.
The site that CNU purchased is problematic. It’s located on a floodplain and abuts a National Wildlife Refuge.
According to the Chair of the Planning Commission: “To allow an essential facility to be placed in a flood zone or any situation where the facility may be endangered of not being able to perform its mission is contrary to the purpose of an essential facility.”
Commissioner Mackenzie Wieser referred to the proposed hospital site as “poorly located.”
There is widespread community objection to the facility from the business groups, environmental groups, and local neighborhood residents.
The congestion on the two-lane I-5 near Elk Grove is additionally problematic. Most of the land, in that area, is private farms, homes and the sanctuaries. Where were they thinking there was available land off of the interstate. There are signs posted about the sanctuary.
(Twenty minutes north of there is the UC Davis Hospital in Sacramento.)
The inland Elk Grove area might be more conducive and receptive to a medical facility. Access would be via the State 99 highway.