July 2, 2010

September 15 is date for hospital expansion appeal

Montgomery County's zoning appeals board has set Sept. 15 as the day for oral arguments on the proposed expansion plan for Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. The board began its review this week of the plan, which a hearing examiner has recommended be sent back to the hospital for revisions to reduce the impact on the adjoining neighborhood.

Board of Appeals Chairman Catherine Titus on Wednesday rejected an appeal by a neighborhood group that she recuse herself from the case. The Huntington Terrace Citizens' Association asked for Titus to step aside because her husband formerly served as chairman of Suburban's board, and the couple has donated money to the hospital. Titus, the community group said, would have to review her husband's testimony in a previous expansion proposal.

But Titus said that she could be objective in the case, that the testimony of her husband (now a federal judge) was not relevant to the current case and that she lacks bias "in favor of or against any party." SOURCE: Washington Post

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