Council approves La Clinica land‑use change to site a west‑side health center

The Medford City Council voted 8‑0 on Oct. 15 to amend the general land use plan and adopt a zone change allowing La Clinica to place an integrated medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy facility on roughly 4.62 acres on the city’s west side.

Planning staff reported that water, sewer and storm infrastructure exist along Loser Lane to accommodate the proposed development and that the traffic impact analysis submitted by the applicant showed study intersections would meet the city’s level‑of‑service standards for the projected future year. The planning commission had recommended approval and the staff findings identified no outstanding policy conflicts. The zone change to service commercial professional office allows a narrower set of commercial uses than broader commercial zones; staff and the applicant said the designation is intended to transition between higher‑order commercial nodes and adjacent residential neighborhoods.

Courtney Maximowicz, La Clinica chief operations officer, said the new center would expand integrated care on the west side and support workforce development and job creation. Several neighbors and stakeholders spoke in favor during the public hearing. Councilors asked about phasing and the prospect of mixed‑use outcomes if the clinic’s plan changed; staff noted that service commercial zoning would still permit multifamily and other compatible uses.

With council approval, La Clinica may finalize due diligence and proceed toward permitting consistent with the adopted plan and zone change.