Following a public hearing, the Planning Commission on Monday, Aug. 5, approved a conditional use permit to expand a medical clinic located near Leisure World.
The vote was unanimous. All five commissioners were present Monday night.
Only the applicant spoke during the public hearing. Elmira Shojaei said about 30% of the patients came from Leisure World. No one opposed the project.
Background
“Elmira Shojaei, (‘the applicant’) is requesting approval for the expansion of an existing 4,400 square foot medical services clinic, located at 13930 Seal Beach Boulevard to include the neighboring 1,300 square foot commercial suite at 13932 Seal Beach Boulevard,” according to the staff prepared report by Assistant Planner Samuel Funes.
“The subject site is located north of Westminster Avenue and is developed with one single-story commercial building that is part of a multi-parcel commercial center known as Seal Beach Village,” Funes wrote.
“The vacant suite located at 13932 Seal Beach Boulevard was previously occupied by H&R Block Inc. for more than a decade,” Funes wrote.
“The applicant will perform minor interior tenant improvements consisting of new partition walls, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing construction to create 5 additional examination rooms, a flow station, and an additional restroom for patients. No structural alterations will occur to the exterior of the commercial structure. Additionally, no branding or exterior commercial activity sign alterations have been proposed for this project,” Funes wrote.
“According to the Seal Beach Municipal Code (SBMC) Table 11.2.10.010 (Use Regulations – Commercial and Mixed-Use Districts), clinics are allowed with approval of a conditional use permit,” Funes wrote.
“In the Code, a clinic is classified as a facility other than a hospital where medical, dental, mental health, surgical and other personal health care services are provided on an outpatient basis, and that accommodates multiple licensed primary medical practitioners (i.e., doctors) and specialties, or 4 or more primary practitioners in a single specialty,” Funes wrote.
“Counseling services by other than medical doctors or psychiatrists are instead included under “Offices.” The medical clinic use distinguishes itself from the medical office use based on the number of primary practitioners,” Funes wrote.
“Since the clinic will have up to 5 medical providers working out of this facility, and as there is a proposed expansion of the existing use, a conditional use permit is required,” Funes wrote.
“The medical services clinic will offer out-patient treatment services only. The proposed hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. and closed Saturday and Sunday,” Funes wrote.
The Funes report also addressed parking at the location.
“Clinics are required to provide one space for every 250 square feet of gross floor area. The proposed expansion suite measures 1,300 square feet and requires an additional 5 parking spaces,” Funes wrote.
“When accounting for existing, proposed, and vacant commercial suites, the SBMC requires 332 off-street parking spaces for the Seal Beach Village shopping center, which contains 374 parking spaces, which is 42 spaces in surplus,” Funes wrote.
“The General Plan Land Use Element encourages revitalization and reuse within the project area in a logical, systematic manner, compatible with existing commercial uses. The proposed expansion of a medical services clinic provides additional services that are consistent with the existing land uses. Seal Beach residents will reap the benefits of a medical services clinic with the ability to see more patients and operate with greater efficiency. Additionally, a greater percentage of the businesses at Seal Beach Village target and provide services routinely sought out by Seal Beach residents living immediately adjacent in the Leisure World community,” Funes wrote.
