An Alabama healthcare company’s bid to build a 50-bed inpatient medical rehab facility on the former Hilltop Orchard site off East Main Street will continue after receiving unanimous approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission
It eventually could grow to include 80 beds, according to the plans.
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Encompass Health still is awaiting a Certificate of Need from the state Office of Health Strategybefore it can move forward on the project. A state government realignment is currently transferring the responsibilities of the Office of Health Strategy to the state Department of <a href="https://healthylife7.com/public-health-improvements-stall-amid-trumps-dei-crackdown/" title="Public Health Improvements Stall Amid Trump’s DEI Crackdown”>Public Health, a spokesperson said
The Planning and Zoning Commission heard Encompass’ application in a special meeting June 23. It approved the application Thursday night. A spokesperson for Endeavor declined to comment Friday, citing that the state application still was under review.
A for-profit company, Encompass Health is the nation’s largest provider of inpatient rehabilitation, with more than 175 hospitals serving at least 225,000 patients as of 2024. It has been planning the facility in Branfordfor some time.
More NewsBranford planners OK plan for 50-bed rehab hospital at former Hilltop Orchards
The facility, for people recovering from serious illnesses or injuries, would be built in two phases by Encompass Health.
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Encompass filed an application with the state Office of Health Strategy last year for the required Certificate of Need to build a one-story, 54,765-square-foot facility at 596, 612 and 616 E. Main St. The land is owned by Wayne Cooke and entities associated with his family.
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In Branford, Encompass sought two special exceptions for three parcels totaling 20.63 acres
The facility, to serve patients recovering from serious illnesses or injuries, would be built in two phases, with the first to include 50 beds and the second to add 30 beds and a gymnasium, according to plans filed with the town. The project has been estimated at $69.5 million,
Encompass does not provide drug or alcohol rehabilitation services, according to its zoning application
A hearing on the Certificate of Need was held in Hartford on April 16, with local officials — including First Selectman Josh Brooks — supporting the application. Two potential competitors, Gaylord Specialty Care of Wallingford and Hospital for Special Care in New Britain spoke in opposition
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Branford officials say the project — which would be located across Route 1 from the site once proposed to be a Costco warehouse club — would be a benefit to the town
“It’s definitely a plus for not only the town but the region,” said Perry Maresca, Branford’s manager of economic and business development.” He pointed out that “there is no real facility like this” between New Haven and the Connecticut River Valley.
“We’re just waiting to hear from the state,” Maresca said. “I know that the town, itself, is behind it. We’ve got a need. … We’ve got an aging population. … You’re getting more operations. It’s just something that’s desperately needed in the area.”
The property currently includes two houses, one is the former home of Cooke and his late wife, longtime WFSB TV anchorwoman Denise D’Ascenzo. and one was the home of Cooke’s late parents. It also includes the Hilltop Gallery & Design Center
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A preliminary “site concept” map shows phase 2 in the development, which would add another 30 beds and a 900-square-foot gymnasium, totaling 18,050 square feet. This was included in the map to “allow for future bed expansion of the facility when and if it is needed” and was not part of the initial application, a company representative said last year
Encompass Health built a $39 million facility with 40 beds in Danburyon a 13-acre site located in the Reserve, near the New York border.
