Mills draws fire

Bob Merwin, CEO of Mills hospital, said lowering the hospital garage by one-level comes down to money, and he pointed out that it would only decrease the height of the garage by approximately 8 ft. "I think this project will enhance the value of their homes, they're getting rid of an eight-story building and replacing it with a building of this beauty," he said.

Residents at the meeting strongly disagreed - they see the project only as financially inimical because of increased traffic flow, headlights sweeping their homes at night, top-level lighting glaring in through windows, increased motor exhaust wafting over from the garage and noise from a ventilation system aimed at keeping the parking garage air continuously circulating.

Throughout the entire course of the evening, Architect Gary Marshall of Anshen and Allen Architecture, answered neighbors concerns about the project. "This doesn't mean there is no other way for the project to go," Marshall said. "But there is evolutionary history behind this project. I can't unilaterally say we'll change the plan, it's been a collective process."

In response, residents contended that the process has been anything but collective. After their first meeting with the hospital on Sept. 28th, they claim their suggestions were ignored. "It's the same as it was before, they made a few minor changes. There will still be pollution '24-seven,' they're not willing to bend," Franco said.

Merwin stated that the concern being voiced by residents was understandable. "We hope to come up with an answer that will satisfy both sides," he added

Changes have been made to the plan since the last meeting. A road which originally looped around the hospital has been cut in half in order to distance traffic-flow near residents back yards. A wall of trees will be planted along the entire distance of the hospital's South side - residents noted that the trees would be saplings and relatively tiny compared to the older cypresses that would be cut down to make way for construction.

According to a state mandate, all hospital in California have to be earthquake proof by 2012. Mills has an agreement with the Peninsula Health Care District saying the project must be completed by 2009, and with a four year construction time, that leaves the Mills project subject to a starting date no later than 2005. While that may seem a long ways away, the plan has yet to be approved by the District Health Board, the city of Burlingame, Sudder Health, and the state of California.

Terry Huabner, a resident o Burlingame for nine years said the Peninsula Health Care Board has no clue as to what's going on. She encouraged all in attendance to show up at next Tuesdays meeting to tell the board just how upset the people are so they can work towards a viable resolution.

"I believe there has to be a solution," Huabner said. "It's a big piece of property out there for God's sake."