By Sara StrongThe future Luverne Community Hospital and Clinic entrance could be further to the north, pleasing Veterans Drive residents, if the state gives approval.The Minnesota Department of Transportation has to give final approval, because the driveway is proposed to be off of Highway 75 instead of Veterans Drive, which the city has jurisdiction over.The access point will be 300 feet further to the north than the original plan. The actual facility site will be the same.Residents met with city representatives Wednesday, Oct. 1, to show their disapproval of plans to take hospital and clinic traffic through their neighborhood. They also expressed their distrust in the city.Residents got word that MnDOT said it wouldn’t allow a hospital driveway directly off of Highway 75. They now say they question whether MnDOT was consulted.Veterans Drive residents said that moving the hospital entrance off their street is good for the city in general because it won’t have to pay for the street work on the 28-foot road.It’s narrower than most thoroughfares and wouldn’t leave room for street parking.Residents were personally concerned about their own properties, and the 500 to 750 extra vehicles that would pass through each day.MnDOT will decide on the change sometime this week.
