CEO says hospital is not closing; rezoning rejected for farm store

By DAVID QUESENBERRY

Patriot Publishing 

The Pulaski Town Council heard a presentation at its Monday night meeting from Lewis-Gale Pulaski CEO Sean Pressman who responded to a recent report by the Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care that identified HCA Lewis-Gale Hospital Pulaski as one of thirteen rural hospitals in the state that are in danger of closure.

Pressman said after hearing some of the discussions about the hospital, he wanted people to understand with “absolute clarity” concerning the facts.

“Lewis-Gale Hospital Pulaski is not closing,” he said. “Our doors are open. Our caregivers are here. Our patients are receiving exceptional care and our commitment to this community remains unwavering.”

The Virginia Joint Commission on Healthcare’s report had been reviewed he said, and, “we do not believe its conclusions accurately reflect the position of the hospital.”

The report relied primarily on financial data that is publicly available. The hospital, however, is part of HCA Healthcare, which does not publicly report stand-alone hospital financial performance.

The Commission’s methodology was therefore flawed and could not fully account for the hospital’s financial position leading to “a very inaccurate assessment,” Pressman said.

These erroneous conclusions, he said, led to a great deal of unnecessary concern by patients, employees and the community.

“We only wish we’d been given the opportunity to provide additional context before that report had been published.”

Pressman underscored the hospital’s commitment to the community by its many awards received for excellence in operations and patient care and its investment in new programs and facilities. Over the past three years, the hospital invested $8 million in infrastructure, technology, equipment, and new programs. Next year the hospital anticipates $3 million in investments for service expansion.

Pressman said, “Those are not short-term decisions, those are long term investments in this community.”

To the local economy last year, the hospital contributed $31 million in economic impact to the community. This included $28 million in wages, salaries and benefits; $1.2 million in charity care; $1 million in state income taxes; and nearly $700,000 in local property taxes and business licenses.

As a member of HCA, the hospital has access to a network of 185 hospitals giving it access to the benefits, clinical expertise, and shared best practices of one of the leading health care organizations to bring to Pulaski.

At the end of his presentation, Pressman said, “Lewis Gale is here. We are strong. We are investing in the future and we remain fully committed to providing safe, high-quality care to this community for many, many years to come.”

 

Hearing on Zoning Amendment

Council then conducted public hearings for two zoning applications. The first was a zoning application from Horner Farms LLC for a zoning amendment to allow farm markets with parking regulations, in the Rural Residential District.

Michele Lawton spoke in favor of the zoning amendment saying the amendment would benefit the whole town.

Eric Taylor also supported the amendment and felt it was “a good deal.”

Other citizens spoke against the amendment.

Jennifer Viers Troy urged Council to vote against both the amendment and the rezoning. She objected to what she considered “spot zoning” being used to place a commercial operation in a residential area. She asked Council to protect the area it zoned residential.

Mark Weikel reviewed the uses allowed in the Rural Residential District. He added that the farm property at issue had three owners in the last four years. He asked what the next owner might try do with the land if the rezoning was approved.

“I am not for this rezoning” he said.

Cindy Mabry felt that the farm store would change the neighborhood which was not zoned for that. She questioned why a store was opened if the area was not zoned for it.

Steve Semones, applicant representative from Western Professional Services, said the text change amendment was sought because the Rural Residential District allows by right a temporary farm stand, but does not allow a permanent farm stand. After consultation and communication with the Planning Commission, amendments were prepared which removed restrictions on permanent stands and product origins and set standards for buildings, setbacks, parking, etc. Setbacks are in excess of the R-1 Residential standards and the limitation on product origin to a 75-mile radius was taken from the Farmer’s Market standards.

Concerning traffic, Semones said that farm stands are not included in the VDOT Traffic Manual. If the parcel remained R-1 and residences were built, it could result in approximately 445 vehicle trips per day not the 20 or 25 vehicles coming to the farm store.

With these comments, Mayor Collins closed the public hearing.

Councilman Joel Burchett Sr. said he saw the proposed amendment as a detrimental step that could have an adverse effect on adjacent property values. He added that he had an obligation to the town’s citizens to protect their rights.

He said, “The people that live on Pleasant Hill Drive, all of them, they have a right to a quiet and unfettered enjoyment of their property, which is R-1. I don’t see any need to change that.”

Council then voted 5-2 against approving a zoning amendment allowing farm stores in the Rural Residential District.

 

Rezoning of 2321 Pleasant Hill Drive

Council next conducted a public hearing on rezoning of 2321 Pleasant Hill Drive from R-1 Residential to Rural Residential as requested by the applicant, Horner Farms LLC.

Sierra Reynolds urged council to deny the rezoning request. She felt the rezoning was not about public need but to accommodate a use that is not allowed under the current zoning.

“Rezonings should be based on what is in the best interest of the entire community, not on the circumstances of a single property owner,” she said. “Residents should expect that standards will be applied equally to everyone. Approval of the rezoning,” she told Council, “could lead to a precedent where persons disregard existing regulations in hopes of the Town changing the zoning to accommodate them.” This she felt, would create many problems by weakening the planning process. She urged Council to uphold the Town’s ordinances, preserve the character of the Pleasant Hill neighborhood, and deny the rezoning request.

Jane MacAdoo told council, “Please do not set a bad precedent by rezoning to RR. R-1 was chosen for a reason and RR (Rural Residential) opens the door too widely to highly undesired activities not consistent with the residential neighborhood.” Susan McAfee was apprehensive on the rezoning telling council that if that door was opened, people would do what they wanted, then ask forgiveness.

Kenneth Cline told council that the RR rezoning would take away protections of homeowners in the neighborhood.

Mary Hawkins asked why there was a problem if the town issued the proper permits for the farm store to be built. Why is it an issue now, she asked? If it was a zoning issue it seems it should have been addressed before the permits were issued. She felt the Town needed more family-oriented businesses to attract more people to shop in the town. She asked Council to let the Horners continue to operate their farm store.

Steve Semones, the applicant’s agent told council that documentation showed the parcel had been used for agriculture for years. The rezoning was sought so the agriculture uses would be in a zoning district where such activities were allowed, he said. Right now, the use of the parcel was a non-compliant, non-conforming existing use. Rezoning the parcel to RR would put all agricultural uses in effect today in compliance with one of the town’s zoning districts. It would allow the Horners to continue with their farming operation, while protecting the neighborhood from a by-right subdivision to come in.

Following a discussion led by Councilman Steve Erickson who reviewed issues brought up in the discussion, council voted 5-2 to not rezone 2321 Pleasant Hill Drive from R-1 to Rural Residential.

 

Other Business

In other business, Council was informed by Shannon Ainsley, Economic Developer that the Town had been awarded a $50,000 grant to be used for study and planning for the redevelopment of the Magnox site. Building and Zoning Administrator Nathan Smythers briefed Council on the department’s activities during the past month.

The next scheduled meeting of the Pulaski Town Council will be at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, July 21, 2026 in the Council Chambers of the Town Municipal Building at 42 First Street, N.W.