Loudoun County Planning Commission Recommends Approval of Broadlands Regional Medical Center Land Use Applications

Reston, Virginia, November 25, 2008 – The Loudoun Planning Commission last night backed the Broadlands Regional Medical Center by recommending approval of its applications.  The Commission’s endorsement completes the Planning Commission’s review and allows for consideration of the applications by the full Board of Supervisors sometime in early 2009. 

“The Planning Commission has confirmed not only that our applications meet the relevant standards, but in a larger sense, that building BRMC in Ashburn is consistent with Loudoun’s land use policies,” said Margaret Lewis, President of HCA’s Capital Division.  “This action represents a key endorsement by the leadership body charged with evaluating all of the significant development projects in the county.   We are pleased that this action brings Loudoun County residents one step closer to much needed additional health care services.”

The Loudoun County Planning staff had similarly recommended approval of BRMC’s applications in September, citing, among other factors, its consistency with the county’s healthcare CPAM.  HCA Virginia and Loudoun officials have been in discussions about building BRMC since 2001. 

On behalf of its application, HCA Virginia had previously announced that BRMC would seek LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification for Health Care.  A program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED focuses on the use of environmentally sensitive solutions in building design, construction and operation. 

As part of its plans, BRMC has pledged to do the following:   

• Treat storm runoff to protect stream channels from erosion and to reduce phosphorous discharge.
• Use special outdoor lighting and window treatments that address light overflow.
• Install water-saving bath fixtures such as low-flow sinks, toilets and showers.
• Obtain National Wildlife Federation designation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat, using food, water and native vegetation that support wildlife common to the area.
• Employ tree conservation techniques and set aside a tree save area, provide nearly four acres for a community garden, and plant and landscape open spaces with native species and low water plants.
• Provide an 800-foot buffer between the hospital and the nearest residence on Broadlands Boulevard (far exceeding required standards).

“In building and operating BRMC, we will be taking steps to ensure that we are a good neighbor and corporate citizen,” said Lewis.  “We look at this project as a lifelong commitment to this generation of Loudoun and Northern Virginia residents, as well as the next.”

Virginia’s Commissioner of Health approved the construction of Broadlands Regional Medical Center in Ashburn in March 2004, citing Loudoun County’s explosive population growth and a shortage of hospital beds and services. The 392,000 square foot facility is approved for 164 total beds, including 12 obstetrical beds, 16 intensive care beds and 40 child-adolescent psychiatric beds. The facility will also have a 24/7 Emergency Department, seven operating rooms, and a cardiac catheterization lab. In June, HCA Virginia and Children’s National Medical Center announced that they will collaborate on designing, equipping, and preparing BRMC to offer the highest-quality pediatric services available in a community hospital setting.

HCA Virginia is the commonwealth’s most comprehensive healthcare network with two dozen locally managed hospitals and outpatient centers in Central, Southwestern and Northern Virginia, including Reston Hospital Center and outpatient surgery centers in Reston and Fairfax. Construction is now underway on Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, a 126-bed facility that will be located south of Fredericksburg. HCA Virginia is one of the state's largest employers and healthcare providers, providing approximately $100 million in free charity care to needy patients and paying $100 million in taxes each year.  Nationwide, HCA owns and operates approximately 166 hospitals and approximately 107 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and London, England.