Planning commission approves temporary MRI trailer at Walnut Creek pediatric outpatient center

The Walnut Creek City Planning Commission on April 10 approved a special use permit to allow a temporary MRI trailer to operate in the parking lot of the Walnut Creek Pediatric Outpatient Center of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital at 2401 Shadelands Drive.

City senior planner Jessica Gonzales told commissioners staff recommended approval with two revisions to the draft resolution: corrections to the facility’s formal name and an 18-month permit timeframe. Gonzales said the draft resolution’s expiration date in condition 5 erroneously reflected 30 months and should be corrected to October 2026 if the commission approves the 18-month limit.

The permit would allow the applicant to place a mobile MRI trailer in the site parking lot while the facility’s interior MRI suite is renovated. The applicant initially requested 12 months; staff recommended up to 18 months to cover potential construction delays. Gonzales said the trailer would operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and that the applicant provided a parking study showing that even with 28 spaces temporarily blocked for the trailer, roughly 150 parking spaces would remain available on site.

Michael Valero, construction project manager for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital on the MRI replacement project, described the trailer as a temporary measure to maintain continuity of imaging services while the in‑building suite is replaced. Liz Epstein, who identified herself as working on special projects and entitlement aspects for UCSF, said the hospital had procured a trailer with a 1.5T MRI and expected delivery in a few weeks. Epstein said the trailer would be placed close to the building so patient transfers and pre‑procedure preparation could occur indoors.

On safety and operations, Epstein said the manufacturer recommended a wide buffer around the trailer to limit vibration from vehicles, preserve image quality and keep people with implanted medical devices such as pacemakers at a safe distance. “We are very confident that, that in this in this structure, that it is safe both for the patients, the providers, and for people who would be on the site,” Epstein said. She also said the project team preferred a chain‑link fence screened with a graphic vinyl wrap for aesthetics and privacy and proposed placing K‑rail behind the fence for additional protection against errant vehicles.

Commissioners raised questions about vehicle turning movements, vibration from nearby Ygnacio Valley Road truck traffic and whether the enclosure should include bollards or other physical stops to protect the trailer and the fence graphic. Commissioner Meade suggested an auto‑turn analysis by the project’s engineers to confirm safe vehicle maneuvers at the proposed “hammerhead” turnaround area.

The commission voted 6‑0 to adopt the draft resolution with the staff‑recommended corrections: changing the facility name to the Walnut Creek Pediatric Outpatient Center of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and setting the permit duration to up to 18 months (correcting the draft condition date). Commissioners voting yes were Ward, Strongman, Kwok, Klopp, Vice Chair Kneeding and Chair Anderson. The motion, as stated on the record, included deleting condition 4 (which required neutral paint) to permit the vinyl graphic wrap.

The approval includes the planning findings discussed by staff that the temporary trailer provides a necessary community service and that proposed perimeter fencing and site controls would mitigate public‑health and safety concerns. The permit requires the applicant to secure the fenced area, manage the temporary loss of 28 parking stalls, and comply with the operating hours described in staff materials.

The project team and staff agreed to refine safety measures before installation: the applicant indicated a preference for chain‑link fencing with a vinyl graphic wrap combined with K‑rail behind the fence; commissioners recommended adding bollards or wheel stops and running an auto‑turn check with engineers to confirm vehicle circulation and emergency access.

The commission’s action authorizes the temporary trailer to operate while the permanent in‑building MRI suite is renovated; staff said the trailer will be removed when construction is complete or by the 18‑month permit expiration, whichever comes first.

Votes at a glance: special use permit application Y25‑006 (2401 Shadelands Drive) — Motion to adopt draft resolution approving SUP with corrected facility name and permit duration up to 18 months; mover: Commissioner Ward; second: Commissioner Strongman; vote: 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain — outcome: approved.

Next steps: staff will finalize the resolution language to reflect the corrected name and expiration date, and the applicant will coordinate final safety and circulation details with city staff prior to installation.