Mission Residents Meet Proposed Medical Neighbors and Say, 'Go Somewhere Else'

The appropriateness of Sutter Health’s plan to open an affiliate medical center on the corner of 20th and Valencia streets was the subject of a lengthy and at times tense meeting on Monday night.

The talk, hosted by the Liberty Hill Neighborhood Association, brought together 25 concerned Mission District residents and three employees of Sutter Health’s Pacific Medical Foundation, which seeks to locate its latest facility on the ground floor of the new V20 condo complex. Neighbors questioned everything from the center’s attractiveness to its size and location.

“You don’t go get a coffee and then decide you’re sick,” said a neighbor.

“I think primary care in the community where people live and work is the right place,” countered William Black, chief medical officer of Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation.

Toni Brayer, the foundation's CEO, asked residents whether they'd prefer another boutiquey, "artisanal" business in the neighborhood.

No, said neighbors, but they did need answers about traffic and parking, storefront attractiveness and patient privacy.

Lisa Fromer, president of the neighborhood association, said she learned of Sutter’s move less than two weeks ago when a member emailed her about it. Once word spread, so did objections. Already, the Valencia Corridor Merchants Association has opposed the 7,100-square-foot center unless it downsizes.

Residents expressed outrage that the medical center did not consult Valencia Street neighbors before petitioning the city's Planning Commission for a conditional use permit to occupy the new 7,100-square-foot space, which is zoned for retail. Many said the existing zoning is appropriate and that the Valencia Street corner is “the wrong place” for a medical facility.

The medical center would have four to six physicians and see about 18 patients an hour, Black estimated. He said it would be comparable to retail traffic. Having a large ground-floor corner unit is important for accessibility, the hospital representatives said. There would be a mural and a small retail component, a store run by the Institute for Health and Healing.

Read more at Mission Local.