1. Is Sutter Hospital Medical Center a City-sponsored project?
No. This is a private development proposal, and it will require permits from the City.
2. What permits are required before this project can begin construction?
It will require Planning permits or entitlements from the City. Specifically, the Planning permits that will be required include a Planned Unit Development (PUD) permit; a General Plan Amendment; a Final Development permit; and a Tree Removal permit. Before the City can issue these permits, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be prepared by the City in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
3. What is Planned Unit Development (PUD)?
The City’s PUD procedure allows for the creation of a PUD zone to encourage the creative development of large sites and to allow flexibility in development and design standards. It is effectively the zoning for the site, where development can either occur all at once or be phased over a specified timeframe.
4. Why does this project require a PUD Amendment and not a new PUD permit?
On this site, a PUD permit was originally approved for the Chiron Corporation in August 1995. In 2006, Chiron was acquired by the Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis. In November 2013, the diagnostics unit of Novartis was sold to Grifols, a multinational pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturer based in Barcelona, Spain. The remaining Novartis portion of the PUD was acquired by Biomed Realty (“BMR”) in March 2019. In February 2021, the Planning Commission approved a Final Development Plan (FDP) permit to build a parking structure and four new “Research and Development” (R&D) buildings. BMR constructed the parking structure and one new R&D shell building in 2022-23. The site is currently entitled for “Research and Development” uses and not for hospital and ambulatory medical office uses. Sutter therefore needs to obtain an amendment to the existing PUD permit from the City, to allow for these uses.
5. What is the development review process for PUDs?
The flow chart below outlines City’s development review process. We are currently on Step 13 of the flow chart.
6. What is an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)?
An EIR is a document that looks at how a proposed project could affect the environment, what could be done to reduce or avoid those impacts, and what alternatives to the project might be possible. An EIR typically looks at issues such as traffic, air quality, noise, water, biological resources, historic resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and impacts on people and communities.
7. Why is an EIR prepared?
The purpose is to help government decision-makers (Planning Commissioners and City Council members) and the public understand the potential environmental consequences of a project before the project is approved.
An EIR generally answers four basic questions:
- What is being proposed?
- How could the project affect the environment?
- Can those impacts be avoided or reduced?
- Are there reasonable alternatives that would cause fewer environmental impacts?
8. Who prepares an EIR for a project?
The City prepares an EIR for a project, in compliance with the State law (California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA). An EIR is a comprehensive environmental study prepared under CEQA that identifies a project's potential environmental impacts, evaluates ways to reduce those impacts, and considers alternatives before a public agency decides whether to approve the project.
The City of Emeryville has hired Urban Planning Partners (UPP) to prepare EIR for the Sutter Hospital Medical Center.
9. Who pays for the EIR?
The project sponsor, Sutter Health, has deposited the full amount of UPP’s contract to prepare EIR for the project, with the City. The City manages, directs and pays UPP directly through the deposit submitted by Sutter with the City.
10. When is the Draft EIR (DEIR) expected to be released for public comment?
Currently, it is anticipated that the DEIR for 45-day public comment period will be released in early Spring 2027.
11. How will members of the public access the DEIR?
The document will be posted on this website. Three hard copies will be made available for public for in-person review at City Hall. Due to the anticipated length of the document, hard copies will not be made available. An electronic copy will be mailed to those who make a request.
12. What are the key project characteristics of the proposed Sutter Hospital Medical Center?
Below is a project summary provided by the applicant and included in the July 21st, 2026 City Council Study Session staff report.
13. What this the construction schedule for the Sutter Hospital Medical Center?
Below is the current estimated construction schedule provided by the applicant.
14. How can I get on the mailing list for this project?
You can be put on the list by emailing to the project manager, Miroo Desai, at mdesai@emeryville.org.