By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
A medical office building proposal recently recommended for rezoning approval in San Luis could, over time, evolve into a micro hospital campus.
Materials provided to the San Luis Planning and Zoning Commission by applicant civil engineering firm Dahl, Robins & Associates, Inc. give a general overview of Yuma Regional Medical Center’s initial and long-term intent for the 37.14-acre site at the NWC of Los Oros Street and Main Street/Highway 95.
In response to a resident question presented to the Commission in the August 13 hearing on the request, Alex Laky of design firm ARCHSOL explained YRMC has established a strong primary care presence in the area. “They seek to build on that,” Laky said. “They haven’t finalized the initial program (for the new development) yet, but we can expect additional primary care clinics, emergency services, lab, pharmaceutical and imaging.”
When asked if the development was being established as a “micro hospital,” Laky said, “It has not been declared a micro hospital at this juncture. I don’t have any specifics to say that’s what it will be.”
The submitted narrative and conceptual site plan, however, shows a micro hospital as a likely long-term outcome for the property’s evolution. Phase I of the conceptual plan shows a new, two-story medical office building that includes a freestanding emergency department combined with the clinical and support services Laky identified in his statement.
A future phase identified on the materials notes, “The facility design can potentially serve as the chassis for future overnight stay and eventually a small hospital.” It also shows a future central plant of unknown volume and three additional MOBs of 30KSF each with associated surface parking.
The site is currently zoned Rural Area Residential. YRMC is in escrow to purchase the land and has requested rezoning to Community Commercial.
Based on the submitted materials and the City staff recommendation, the Commission recommended the rezoning to City Council for approval with the condition that the applicant conduct a traffic study during the building permit review process and that the developer perform any improvements the study may determine to be necessary.
The request’s consideration by City Council has not yet been scheduled.
Yuma Regional Medical Center is the project owner and developer. The site is currently owned by Ranch 800, LLC, which traces back to Robert Barkley, president and CEO of Barkley Ag Enterprises. ARCHSOL is the design firm, and the civil engineer is Dahl, Robins & Associates, Inc.
