Frequently Asked Questions
Updated Project

Did the updated design change the services to be offered at the PAMF San Carlos Center?

True to our original intentions, PAMF will offer primary and specialty physician services, an urgent care center, laboratory, X-ray and other testing services, as well as a full-service acute care hospital with a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week emergency room -- all in one location -- at the PAMF San Carlos Center.

Back to top

Why was the design changed from the original renderings?

When we proposed the original design in 2004, we were very early in the planning process. For the last three years, the architectural design of the project has continued on a parallel track with the City of San Carlos' review process. Since 2004, we have had the opportunity to refine the project based on feedback from the community during more than 60 public meetings. We also had the opportunity to visit some of the country's leading hospitals to identify best practices in patient safety, patient-centered care and facility design.

These site visits, as well as the community feedback, were invaluable and contributed to what we believe is a better overall project design with fewer impacts on the community. The conceptual design also still meets the objectives we established for the medical center in 2004, including providing a variety of medical services in one location for the convenience of patients and to improve efficiency of care.

Back to top

What are the main differences between the original project and the updated one?

The updated project has a simpler design that will benefit patients and reduce impacts on the community. Some of the most significant changes can be viewed in this chart that compares the proposed 2004 and 2007 PAMF San Carlos Center.

Back to top

Will the new project undergo an environmental review?

EIP Associates, the consultant selected by the City of San Carlos to draft the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will review the addendum to the project application that includes the updated design. The reduction in the number of physicians and staff and the resulting reduction in the size of the medical office building are consistent with two of the alternatives studied as part of the EIR. PAMF believes the updated project has fewer impacts and fits within the scope of what was studied in the recently certified EIR. The San Carlos City Council, Planning Commission and Traffic and Transportation Commission have all voted unanimously to certify the EIR for the project as adequate and complete.

Back to top

How does the updated design and scope of the project help to address traffic issues?

The project will be smaller with fewer physicians and staff members on site, which will reduce the number of projected daily patient visits. This results in less traffic, including 31 percent fewer peak hour traffic trips (between 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.) coming to and from the medical center. The number of physicians and staff now planned for the San Carlos Center is roughly equal to the number of employees CPI/Eimac had on site during the peak of its operations.

Back to top

Will there be more parking at the updated facility than was planned as part of the initial design?

Yes. Proportionately, there are more parking spaces proposed as part of the updated design. Based on the new design, there is a city requirement for 1,000 spaces, but we plan to provide 1,280 parking spaces. This will ensure that employees, patients and visitors have ample parking on site and do not park on streets near the project.

Back to top

What impact does the smaller project have on future business development on the East Side?

The smaller project allows for more future economic development projects in San Carlos. There will be less traffic coming to and from the medical center, leaving more capacity at local intersections for economic development projects to use.

Back to top

What makes the updated project more environmentally friendly?

We know the environmental impact of our medical center is important to the community. A healthy project design is also consistent with our values as an organization to provide patients with high-quality care in a comfortable, healing environment. In the design of the PAMF San Carlos Center, we are being guided by the Green Guide for Health Care. As a result, we are incorporating a number of green building practices into the design and increasing landscaping and open space on the site by 125,000 square feet or 56 percent as compared to our original design.

The preliminary list of items incorporated into PAMF's updated design include drought resistant plants, more pervious site area to reduce water runoff, green roof planting, solar window shading and more. In addition, the overall footprint of the campus, the amount of land on the site covered by buildings, has been reduced by 20 percent. Existing building materials on the site, including the steel framing and concrete, will also be recycled.

Back to top

Do you expect additional changes to the exterior design of the medical center?

Before construction begins, there could be some additional changes to the architectural and landscaping features. The current design represents a conceptual view of the services we will offer at the PAMF San Carlos Center with more design details to be added. We will now work with the city to refine the exterior design of the medical center and listen to feedback from the community. The city is also in the process of hiring an architect to review the design.

Back to top

Does the smaller project change the proposed terms of the development agreement?

No. The proposed terms of the development agreement remain the same.
Back to top

When is the medical center expected to open?

Pending city approvals, the medical center is projected to open in 2013.

Last reviewed: March 2008

Back to top