Council asks planning staff to study window-coverage rules for clinics after La Maestro request

La Maestro Community Health Centers representatives told the El Cajon City Council on June 24 that federal and state privacy rules (HIPAA) require clinic interiors to be shielded from public view and asked the council to allow medical and dental clinics to cover 100% of street-facing windows.

Tom, representing La Maestro, told the council his organization is a federally qualified health center with multiple sites in El Cajon and said uncovered windows pose a risk of exposing protected patient information. He said most of La Maestro’s other sites use window coverings and asked for a zoning modification to permit 100% coverage at a newly acquired storefront at East Main Street.

Councilmembers discussed potential unintended consequences for other businesses and uses and asked staff to analyze how many properties such a change would affect and what the pros and cons would be. Councilmember Gary moved to send staff analysis to the planning commission rather than returning first to council; the council voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare the analysis and take it to the planning commission for recommendation.

Staff said if council directs an ordinance change the planning commission would review staff’s analysis and make a recommendation to council; the council may later consider an amendment to the municipal code.