Planning commission approves Casa Colina outpatient rehabilitation clinic at 245 West Foothill

The Monrovia Planning Commission on April 9 approved a conditional use permit (CUP2025-0003) to allow Casa Colina Healthcare to establish an outpatient physical rehabilitation center at 245 West Foothill Boulevard, on the northwest corner of Acacia Avenue and Foothill Boulevard.

Staff reported the site is in a neighborhood-commercial zone and that because the property borders residentially zoned lots the application required Planning Commission review rather than only Development Review Committee review. Casa Colina proposes to offer physical, occupational and speech pathology outpatient services by appointment only; staff said there will be no overnight, emergency, or walk-in urgent care. The applicant’s proposed hours are Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with 9–12 employees and a maximum of 18 patients per hour.

Planned tenant improvements are interior only and include a therapy gym, break room and staff restroom. Staff confirmed the existing site has 37 parking stalls (including two ADA stalls) and reported the applicant proposes adding two additional stalls and expanding ADA parking from two to eight stalls; staff also recommended reconfigured pedestrian access from the Foothill Boulevard sidewalk, an added light post centered on the lot to illuminate the ADA stalls, and new landscaping including five Brisbane box trees and drought-tolerant shrubs to screen adjacent residences. Staff conditionally required that all therapy activities and equipment be conducted entirely within the enclosed building, hours be limited to the proposed schedule, and that the solid block wall along the north property line be maintained as a buffer.

Architect Eric Rodriguez spoke for the applicant and said he and the Casa Colina team were available to answer questions. Commissioners asked for clarification about tree retention and plant selection; staff confirmed some eucalyptus trees on the south side of the site will be retained and said staff would work with the applicant on replacing fire-risk plantings such as purple fountain grass with more appropriate native species. There was no public testimony in opposition.

A motion to approve CUP2025-0003 with staff conditions passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners voting yes. The commission noted decisions may be appealed to City Council within 10 days in writing with payment of the appeal fee.

Staff listed follow-up actions including finalizing the tree-retention plan and monitoring compliance with the conditions limiting on-site activities to interior spaces and the hours of operation.