MemorialCare Health System, owner of the closed San Clemente Hospital, has filed an application with the city to replace the facility with affordable senior housing atop medical offices, which would put an end to discussion whether a hospital or an emergency room could ever reopen at that location.
The residential portion of the 6.3-acre project being proposed would be developed for senior residents ages 55 and up. Some of the units would include affordable rents, which could help San Clemente meet a need for affordable housing, said Dr. Mark Schafer, CEO of the health care system.
In addition to the 250 apartments, MemorialCare proposes building a 7,500-square-foot health center, that would house urgent care and doctors’ offices.
“This innovative approach will present an attractive option for seniors in San Clemente, and could serve as a model for similar communities to further integrate high quality and easily accessible health and wellness services,” Schafer said. “We look forward to engaging with the City Council and staff to make this project a reality for the benefit of all San Clemente residents.”
MemorialCare shuttered the San Clemente hospital in 2016 saying at that time it was unsustainable because of a lack of patients.
Over the years, officials with the health system considered options, they said, looking at what it would take to open the facility again, not as an acute-care hospital, but as an ambulatory campus.
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In October, the San Clemente City Council adopted its housing plan and identified the hospital site on Camino De Los Mares as potentially an option for accommodating housing.
San Clemente Mayor Gene James, who with Councilman Chris Duncan, is on a subcommittee looking at options for the hospital site, said he is looking forward to reviewing MemorialCare’s plans.
“While health care is a priority in the city, housing is also a priority due to state mandates,” he said.
The proposal will go through the city’s review process before it makes its way to the City Council.