Design Commission Approves Final Design For Huntington Medical Building to be Built Along South Fair Oaks

The Design Commission voted unanimously to approve the proposed final design for the Huntington Health’s 100,285-square-foot medical office building to be built at 758- 766 South Fair Oaks Ave. 

The project involves demolition of the existing building and surface parking lot and construction of a four story medical office building, which includes approximately 80,284 square feet of medical offices and 20,000 square feet of general office, with three levels of subterranean parking. 

There are no trees on the project site; however, eight public street trees are proposed to be removed.

The final design was approved with the conditions the staff has outlined in its report. 

Under the list of conditions, “all attached sconces shall be of a color that is consistent with the colors of other metalwork finishes on the building. Bollards, light fixtures within and around tree planters, and freestanding ground light fixtures shall be of a consistent neutral or dark gray finish.”

It also provides that the applicant “shall study improvement of the siting of the proposed alee along Fillmore Street by planting new trees on site in a staggered/ alternating manner in relation to the public trees to ensure proper growth.”

At the meeting, in addition to the list of conditions, the commissioners recommended to the applicant to consider replacing Camphor trees at the site. “It’s kind of a poor choice next to a hospital to have Camphor trees,” said Commissioner Julianna Delgado.  “These are poisonous trees and to put that much there kind of goes against what they are trying to achieve – the function of their building.” 

Last February 7, the City Council overturned the Planning Commission’s decision and approved the Conditional Use Permit for Huntington Hospital’s proposed medical office building. 

The Planning Commission voted 5-2 on November 17 to deny the hospital’s application for a permit due to concerns regarding the project’s design as well as concerns raised by the public regarding potential increased traffic in nearby residential neighborhoods, and increased noise and air pollution if the project goes forward as proposed.