Collingwood’s hospital is moving ahead with plans to make more room for its administration.
Council has approved a new site plan control agreement for a new administration building at the back of the facility.
The new agreement means the hospital can build a two storey, seven thousand square foot structure behind the hsopital.
This is on part of the land the hospital clearcut in February without permission.
The building agreement was reached after six weeks of talks between town planning staff and hospital officials.
The plan also calls for trees to be planted as a berm to offer a barrier for people living to the east who had complained when the trees were cut down.
The new trees will be planted in the fall.
There will also be a pedestrian trail from Niagara Street to Hume Street.
Councillor Dave Labelle says this agreement has taken something that started as a problem and turned it into an opportunity to make things better for the community.
The hospital has said moving administrative offices to the new building will make more room in the emergency room and operating rooms.
When asked about the possibility of charges laid by the town against the hospital for violating a by-law when the trees were cut, CAO Gord Norris would only say no charges have been laid yet.
Meanwhile, council has decided to approve a new site plan control agreement for a new landscape plan for the Erie Street Medical Clinic behind the hospital.
The plan includes a sidewalk along Niagara Street to connect the clinic and the hospital as well about 13 new trees.
The plan is part of a bigger vision to expand the clinic parking by 25 more spaces.