A Google Map image showing Griffin Hospital and its Spring Street side.
DERBY – Members of the planning and zoning commission have scheduled a public hearing for April 15 on a proposal from Griffin Hospital to replace an MRI trailer with a permanent modular building.
The public hearing isn’t required for the application, but the city’s zoning board of appeals recommended the P&Z do so. The suggestion was made to the ZBA at a meeting by Derby City/Town Clerk Marc Garofalo.
Derby Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are held in Derby City Hall and on Zoom. The meetings usually start at 7 p.m.
Right now Griffin’s MRI machine is housed within a portable trailer on the Spring Street side of the hospital. It’s near loading docks and dumpsters.
In a letter on file in Derby City Hall, hospital officials said a new MRI unit within a modular building will better serve patients.
As it stands, people with certain medical conditions – such as cardiac patients with pacemakers – can’t use the current MRI. That would change with the new MRI.
In addition, accessing the current MRI isn’t convenient for patients, who have to use a semi-private area to change before walking into the trailer – which also has issues with cold drafts seeping in.
“The space within the newly built structure will create a far better patient experience,” according to the letter. “The fixed, permanent space will be a 1,500-square-foot suite that includes a private changing area adjacent to the MRI unit.”
Plans showing the existing setup with a trailer.
Plans showing the proposed setup with a modular building.
The modular building would be built in the same area as the trailer off Spring Street, but it would be larger.
Members of the ZBA unanimously voted Feb. 26 to give Griffin a setback variance that allows the hospital to submit a site plan to the Derby Planning and Zoning Commission.
At the Feb. 26 ZBA meeting, Garofalo noted that as Griffin Hospital has grown over the years, employee and patient parking is an issue in the surrounding neighborhood. Any parking issues would be the jurisdiction of the P&Z.
In addition to its main campus, Griffin Hospital owns about 22 surrounding properties, including a former nursing home on Chatfield Street where a building was razed in order to become Griffin Hospital employee parking.
Dominick Thomas, a lawyer representing Griffin, sent notice about the ZBA meeting to neighboring property owners.
Officials said one person sent an email supporting the new MRI building, saying moving the current trailer is noisy.
“This looks like it will be much more patient-oriented, it looks like it is going to be bigger, more comfortable and I think that is a benefit to the community,” said Rita Pelaggi, a member of the Derby ZBA.
