A new driveway off of SOM Center Road will allow emergency vehicles easier access to the Hillcrest Hospital emergency room.
Mayfield Heights City Council on Monday confirmed the Planning Commission's approval of the site plan.
Mayor Gregory Costabile said the way the current driveway is designed is not safe and emergency vehicles have to zigzag across hospital property and cars in the lot to reach the ER. Also, it is difficult for larger fire trucks to make a quick turn that is required, he said.
There will be two entrances off of SOM Center, one to the north with two-way traffic and an emergency driveway to the south that will be entrance only to the site. A sign will indicate that driveway is for emergency vehicles only.
"We'll start with signage, but if we need to we'll install a gate," said James M. Senick, administrative director of support services for Hillcrest Hospital.
Costabile said signage will be placed so that it will be enforceable by the police department.
Councilman Anthony DiCicco suggested that the hospital place a red, illuminated sign marking the driveway as an emergency entrance, as he's seen elsewhere.
"That seems to do the trick," he said.
Senick said ground will be broken in April for the new entrance and work should be completed by the end of June.
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