Merced City Council to consider zoning change for North Merced office complex near hospital

A zoning change to allow an office complex on Mercy Avenue and a request to use the Rotary Scout Hut in Applegate Park as an emergency warming center are on the City Council agenda for Monday, Feb. 6.

The owner of the property on Mercy Avenue and Mansionette Drive and the future Sandpiper Avenue wants to change the designation from low-density residential to commercial office. The property is across from the new Mercy Hospital and Cruickshank Middle School.

The proposal would require an amendment to the general plan and other changes to allow the construction of a 133,000 square-foot office complex. The four-building complex would include medical and general offices ranging from one to three stories high.

The Merced Continuum of Care is asking the City Council for permission to use the Rotary Scout Hut in Applegate Park as an emergency warming center on an as-needed basis this year and to waive any fees associated with the rental of the building. The center would be staffed by volunteers, not City employees.

The Continuum wants the use of the building in case the homeless shelters, along with two facilities that were established as emergency warming centers, reach capacity.

The Council agenda is posted online at http://www.cityofmerced.org and is available outside the chambers prior to the meeting. Request to Speak cards are available at the meeting or can be downloaded from the City's website. Cards must be turned in to the City Clerk in order for a person to be recognized by the Council. The meeting is carried live on Comcast Channel 96.