Lorain County Health & Dentistry plans to relocate Elyria clinic

ELYRIA — Lorain County Health and Dentistry is planning to relocate its Elyria location to Middle Avenue. At Tuesday's virtual Planning Commission meeting, members approved a rezoning request from Lorain County Health a Dentistry for the new location. The next step will be a lot consolidation and then design plans submitted to various city departments for approval. Stephanie Wiersma, president and CEO, said the agency is looking to move its East River location to Middle Avenue at the Eighth Street Alley. The location would allow the agency to expand medical services and add dental and optometry, which is not currently available at the East River clinic. "That will increase access to medical care and dental care and reduce barriers to care for so many in Elyria now," Wiersma said. "Particularly the barrier of reliable transportation. So, we're really excited that we have the opportunity to build a new flagship community health center in this area." The Middle Avenue region that LCH&D hopes to build at is also a new federally designated medically underserved area, which means it meets the criteria of number of residents older than 65, the infant mortality rate and the patient-to-provider ratio. There's a planned landscape buffer that would abut the residential property. Planning Commission members approved the rezoning request. Daryl Farkas, chief building officer and zoning administrator, said there probably will be several variances the organization will have to request once it comes to the design phase, so the matter will go before Planning Commission again. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, also announced funding Tuesday for community health centers across the state. LCH&D received $783,230. The funding is part of the CARES act passed last month by Congress. "By coming into the neighborhood, we think we can make a great deal of difference and make a great deal of impact on the health of the local community," Wiersma said. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.