The Patterson Planning Commission on Thursday reaffirmed an earlier decision to allow the Del Puerto Health Care Center to move to the Keystone Pacific Business Park.

The center’s current landlord, John Ramos, appealed a previous commission decision on the grounds a primary care medical facility is not allowed in the business park.

Ramos had hoped the commission would take up the appeal at a future meeting, but commissioners voted 5-0 to review it that night. After a heated exchange between the two sides, the commission voted 5-0 to dismiss the appeal.

In November, Del Puerto Health Care District officials announced plans to move the facility from 1108 Ward Ave. to the business park. District officials said the move would give the facility much-needed space and allow expansions when needed.

The district’s arguments to the commission focused on the community’s need for expanded medical coverage, while a legal clerk representing Ramos’ attorney, Thomas Terpstra, argued the use should be denied.According to Ramos’ lawyer, only medical facilities that focus on urgent care or industrial medicine are allowed in the park.

The district countered that because it will be a public building, it is an allowed use.

At times, the exchange became heated.

“We understand (Ramos) is a disgruntled landlord,” said Keith Snyder with Keystone Pacific Business park, the company that wants to sell the district space for the new facility.

District representatives said Ramos was trying to delay the district’s move and purposely waited until the deadline to file an appeal.

“Waiting until the last minute is not appropriate,” said Steve Auer, the district’s legal representative. “It delays everything the district needs to do.”

Several commissioners said there had been enough notice.

“The process is not new to either party,” said commissioner Luis Molina.

Though the commission eventually sided with the district, the decision can be appealed again, this time to the City Council.

In other commission matters

The commission approved St. Vincent de Paul Society thrift store’s move to 205 S. El Circulo.

The commission approved design plans for a 14,000 square-foot skate park close to the corner of Ward and Las Palmas avenues.

The commission approved a mobile food vendor locatation near several other vendors at M and First streets.