Commission Approves SRMC’s Cancer Facility

Sonora, CA — The Sonora Planning Commission approved the site plan and issued a conditional use permit for the construction of Sonora Regional Medical Center’s new cancer facility that will be located at the former Andy’s site on Mono Way.

The vote tonight was unanimous. “We’re very pleased with the Commission’s decision to allow us to move forward,” says Jeff Eller, SRMC President and CEO. “This is a big boost when it comes to continuing the state of the art cancer care we can provide to the community. It is certainly a benefit to keep our patients local, so that they do not have to travel long distances for care.”

The main focus of conversation at the meeting was a letter from the real estate firm Reed Investments that owns the Timber Hills Shopping Center across Mono Way (anchored by Save Mart). The owner was concerned about the additional traffic the project will create. The argument was that left turning vehicles, from both Timber Hills and SRMC, would go to the center merge lane at the same time, and possibly cross paths. To eliminate the problem, the Commission decided that SRMC has the option of putting in a turn signal at that location, or not allow left hand turns from their new facility.

Eller noted that SRMC’s next step with the project is securing the needed funding. He noted that construction could begin in late 2014 or 2015.