Stockton Planning Commission Special Meeting – September 21, 2023

The Stockton Planning Commission held a special meeting on September 21, 2023, at 5:30 PM to consider a major expansion of St. Joseph’s Medical Center. After a public hearing, the Commission voted 5-0 to recommend certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), approval of a Development Agreement and Master Development Plan, and approval of use permits and demolition of five structures over 50 years old. The project is projected to add 780 new jobs, increase regional economic activity by $500 million, expand medical residency programs by 50%, and enhance emergency and acute care capacity.

Consent Calendar

• None.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joy Nees (Stockton resident) urged preservation of historic architectural elements, specifically the 1916 hospital wing facade, arguing that the EIR did not adequately consider preservation alternatives and that history should not be sacrificed.
• Eric Parfrey (Sierra Club representative) expressed support for the project after the hospital agreed to reduce the parking structure from 1,980 to 1,400 spaces (a 30% reduction), implement a robust transportation demand management program, and meet state electric vehicle (EV) charging requirements. He thanked the hospital for the collaborative process.
• Ann Johnston (former Stockton Mayor, member of St. Joseph’s Community Council) strongly endorsed the expansion, citing improvements to the overcrowded emergency room, the residency program’s benefit to the region, and the hospital’s overall economic and social benefits.
• Kevin Huber (President/CEO of Grupe Huber Company, developer of University Park and board member of San Joaquin Partnership and Pacific) urged approval, emphasizing that hospital quality is a key site-selection criterion for businesses and that the expansion will enhance clinical training opportunities for students at local colleges and high schools.

Discussion Items

• Staff Presentation (Brad Wall, Planning Manager): Detailed the five components requiring Commission action: EIR certification (including a Statement of Overriding Considerations for aesthetics and greenhouse gas emissions), adoption of a Development Agreement and Master Development Plan, approval of Use Permits (including heliport amendments), and demolition of five structures over 50 years old. The project spans 19 acres, 30 parcels, and includes a 331,000 sq ft acute care tower, a 90,000 sq ft parking structure (six tiers, up to 1,400 spaces), a new central utility plant, fuel tank yard, generator building, and maintenance building. The EIR identified significant unavoidable impacts to aesthetics and greenhouse gases, but these were outweighed by community benefits. The hospital conducted extensive multilingual outreach, including six community workshops and a scoping meeting. The Cultural Heritage Board unanimously recommended a Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition.
• Applicant Presentation: Don Wiley (CEO, St. Joseph’s) highlighted the hospital’s 124-year history, high patient census, and the urgency of seismic compliance (SB 1953) by 2030, which would require temporary bed reductions without expansion. He noted the partnership with Kaiser and growth of the graduate medical education program from 5 residents in 2017 to 166 today, projected to reach 238 by 2029. The project cost is approximately $650 million (excluding seismic), escalating $2.5–$3 million per month. Attorney Martha Lofgren explained that agreements were reached with both the Sierra Club and Gill Medical Center (adjacent property owner), resulting in the parking reduction and stronger mitigation measures on EV charging, solar panels, and parking design. Architect Peter Rosato presented site plans showing four construction phases over a six-year horizon, with completion of the acute tower by July 2029.
• Commissioner Deliberation: All commissioners present expressed strong support. Commissioners Boparai, Thompson, Mallett, Jones, and Chair Rizvi praised the community outreach, concessions to environmental groups, economic benefits, and expansion of medical education. Commissioner Mallett asked about the parking compromise and EV spaces; staff confirmed the reduction to 1,400 spaces and compliance with state EV code. Commissioner Boparai urged alignment with the city’s housing action plan to increase density near the hospital. Commissioner Thompson noted the positive impact on the surrounding area.

Key Outcomes

• Motion by Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Mallett, to:
  1. Recommend City Council certify the EIR, Statement of Overriding Considerations, Findings of Fact, Mitigation Monitoring Report Program, and Errata.
  2. Recommend City Council adopt an ordinance approving the Development Agreement and approve the Master Development Plan with conditions.
  3. Approve a Use Permit for the medical center expansion, an amendment to Use Permit S27-86 for heliports, and demolition of five structures over 50 years old.
• Vote: 5-0 (Commissioner Hull recused himself at 5:35 PM; Vice Chair Nathaniel absent). The resolution passed.
• Next Steps: The City Council will consider the final approvals. Any appeal must be filed within 10 days. The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for September 28, 2023.