Jefferson Planning Advisory Board recommends denying new Children’s Hospital
JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — With a 6-1 vote, the Jefferson Planning Advisory Board shocked the audience by recommending that the Jefferson Parish Council deny the plan to construct a brand new Ochsner Children’s Hospital on Jefferson Highway.
“I was surprised that we won. I thought oschner was buying all the votes and we didn’t have a chance,” concerned resident Hilton Bond said.
“I don’t even know if I have words for it. This is a very pleasant surprise,” Old Jefferson Community Association Public Relations Secretary Richard Spector said.
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This decision comes after many residents who live in the area shared their displeasure with the plan, stating that it did not take them fully into consideration.
“They can build a Children’s Hospital on the property they have now without rezoning. They don’t have to build on top of Betz Avenue And they don’t have to destroy all of the residential houses or rezone it at all to build a full sized hospital,” Bond said.
Those with Ochsner say while this is not what they were hoping to hear, they will continue to fight for their case.
They believe that their plan is beneficial not only for the children that they would be serving, but the residents who live nearby as well.
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“The plan will improve drainage in the community with 400,000 gallons of underground drainage retention. The plan will protect trees. The plan will develop a pocket park for the community to enjoy, so we feel like we’ve put forward a good plan with strong enough concessions that will be a good benefit to those in Jefferson parish,” Ochsner Health Community Affairs System Vice President Emily Arata said.
While this decision was just a recommendation, these residents say that having any elected officials on their side is always a positive sign.
“This is a big step because it means that part of our Jefferson Parish government has heard us and heard us say that Ochsner is to expansionistic and has a disregard for the community that surrounds it,” Spector said.
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