The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission has given the green light to construct and operate new medical offices and a pharmacy in the city.
In a 5-0 vote Tuesday night, the commission approved a resolution recommending that City Council approve the design and development of the medical complex to be located on a vacant Lakeshore Drive lot in the 16000 block, just north of Four Corners, near the Stater Bros market.
The applicant on the project is Pablo Paredes of La Jolla; the complex owner is Ahmed Mashayekan, according to city documentation.
The project still needs City Council approval, but if all proceeds as planned the project would be complete within a year.
According to city documentation, the project would include two medical offices and a pharmacy comprising nearly 6,000 square feet.
The owners of Gen-Rx pharmacy located at 16746 Lakeshore Drive are involved in the project and would relocate their existing pharmacy in the Stater Bros strip center to the new location.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the planning commissioners addressed concerns about the project's landscaping, a fixture adorning the new proposed building’s rooftop, construction hours and traffic in the Four Corners area.
The commissioners agreed to mandate drought-tolerant landscaping for the project, and they are prohibiting large trucks from being onsite during weekends and holidays.
Commissioners Rick Morsch, Michael O’Neal and Vice Chair Phil Mendoza contested a large-scale mortar and pestle statue that is planned to adorn the new facility’s rooftop.
“I love what you’re doing with the building, but I have concerns about that mortar and pestle,” O’Neal said, explaining that the adornment reminded him of the “gigantic 1950s donut.”
“You might as well put a neon sign on top,” he said. “It doesn’t fit with the neighborhood."
Morsch agreed and suggested the design be incorporated into signage, but representatives for the project who were on hand Tuesday night argued the adornment represents the “soul and character of the building.”
The commissioners conceded the point and voted to approve, noting that the owners will be required to remove the giant statue if they move from the facility.
Ken Seumalo, Lake Elsinore director of public works, appeased the commissioners' traffic worries Tuesday. He said the city’s traffic engineers have reviewed the project and there were no concerns.
The project will be put on a future City Council agenda for final consideration.
