Council approves rezoning to allow Castle Family Health Center expansion

The Atwater City Council voted June 22 to approve a general plan amendment and introduce an ordinance to rezone two parcels (APNs 002-132-024 and 002-132-025) from low-density residential to commercial office so they can be merged and used as part of an expansion of Castle Family Health Center at 1775 Third Street.

Community Development Director Johnny Lan explained the request would re-designate the parcels to institutional use under the general plan while zoning would be changed to commercial office to accommodate the medical facility. The project would add approximately 8,000 square feet and include site and off-site improvements such as additional parking, sidewalks, ADA curb cuts and stormwater drainage; site consolidation through a lot merger is underway.

Peter, identified as CEO of Castle Family Health Center, told the council the expansion would allow the center to add providers — the plan anticipates up to five additional providers (two physicians and three advanced practice clinicians) and a dentist — to increase primary-care access. The Planning Commission recommended approval on May 20, and public comments at the hearing were generally supportive.

Council members voted to adopt the mitigated negative declaration and associated mitigation and monitoring and to introduce and waive first reading of the zoning ordinance; the measure passed unanimously. Staff noted CEQA compliance via a mitigated negative declaration and a 20-day public comment period that closed May 20.

Next steps: the council introduced the ordinance and adopted the necessary resolutions; administrative approvals for site plan, architecture review and lot merger will proceed per municipal code.