The Sonoma City Planning Commission on Oct. 16 continued, to a date uncertain, consideration of a use permit and design review to make a temporary MRI trailer at Sonoma Valley Hospital a permanent on‑site facility.

City planning staff presented the proposal and recommended approval with conditions, saying the trailer would not expand site coverage or height nonconformities and that the use is consistent with the general plan. "The proposal is not going to cause any negative impact to public health, safety, or welfare," planner Jacob Dunn told commissioners during his presentation.

But multiple commissioners and public speakers raised concerns about the facility's appearance, the noise generated by the trailer and the generator that powers it, and how the small asphalt area in front of the trailer should be treated. Commissioner Barnett said he doubted the containerized structure would provide meaningful noise attenuation. "I have very strong doubts that this temporary structure is going to provide, very much in the way of noise attenuation," Barnett said.

Staff and a hospital representative said the northern trailer sits on a previously approved hospital parcel at 347 Andrew Street and that the hospital currently meets required parking standards. The applicant met the city's parking requirement of 109 spaces and currently provides 175 spaces across multiple satellite lots; staff noted two spaces on the Andrew lot could be reopened under the plan. The hospital representative said there is no current plan to remove the older MRI unit near the main entrance and that patients would access the northern unit through an interior corridor to radiology, with a proposed future awning to reduce exposure to weather.

Commissioners asked for specific details that staff and the hospital did not provide at the hearing: a decibel (noise) study for the MRI and generator; plans for screening or other noise‑attenuation structures (commissioners suggested generator enclosures similar to those used elsewhere in the city); an aesthetic treatment and paint scheme for the trailer; and a clearer access/maintenance plan for the driveway area. Hospital and project staff committed to returning with additional information. "We'll come up with a plan to beautify that area. We will maybe do a more formal review of the decibels related to the MRI...and then we can come back with some of these concerns," the hospital representative said.

After discussion, Commissioner Willers moved to continue the item to a date uncertain so staff and the hospital could provide the requested technical information and a more complete design package; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call vote. The commission's action was a continuation only; no design review or permit decision was made.

The commission instructed staff to return with a fuller design review submittal that includes a noise/decibel analysis of the MRI and generator, proposed noise‑attenuation measures (for example, a generator enclosure), a proposed paint and screening scheme for the trailer, and a recommendation about the two Andrew Street parking spaces and driveway access. Staff also noted potential conditions to repaint the trailer to match hospital colors and optional measures to close or landscape the driveway approach.

Planning staff and the hospital agreed to supply the missing technical detail at a later meeting so the commission can evaluate whether the site will meet design and nuisance standards.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to continue the public hearing on the use permit/design review for a permanent MRI trailer at 347 Andrew Street—mover: Commissioner Willers; second: not specified in the roll call; outcome: continued to a date uncertain (roll call: 5 Aye, 0 No, 0 Abstain, 2 Absent).