WOBURN - A medical center affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital that treats patients with autism and other learning and developmental disabilities filed for a special permit on Monday for a location in Woburn.

LADDERS (Learning and Developmental Disabilities Evaluation & Rehabilitation Service) is seeking to occupy 12,525-square-feet in a building owned by Cummings Properties at 10 Gill St. in North Woburn.

Gill Street is located off New Boston Street in the area of the Woburn Industrial Park.

While the LADDERS facility would require a special permit, Ward 4 Alderman William Booker filed a related petition for a change to the zoning code that would allow medical facilities larger than 5,000-square-feet to be located in the city's three industrial zoning categories (Industrial Park, Industrial Park-2, and Industrial General).

"I haven't seen or heard of any problems with these (medical) types of uses," said Booker.

He added there are patients and their families who could benefit from this facility by not having to travel to MGH's main campus in Boston.

"Anyone who has children knows what it's like to wait in a doctor's office," said Booker. "Why shouldn't we want to make it more convenient?"

Booker noted he was recently contacted by a representative from Mass. General and endorsed the LADDERS operation.

"Mass. General is the big dog in this area," he said. "Why shouldn't they be in Woburn?"

The council voted to set up public hearings for both the special permit petition and the proposed zoning change. No date was specified. If either is passed, the LADDERS facility would be allowed.

According to its website, ladders.org, "LADDERS is a highly-successful program designed to evaluate and treat children and adults having a wide variety of developmental and handicapping conditions.

"Our mission is to provide the highest quality clinical, social and support services to those diagnosed with autism, pervasive developmental disorders and other developmental disabilities.

"LADDERS is unique because of the population it serves and because it uses a multidisciplinary approach which begins with comprehensive medical evaluations and extends to supporting the well-being of patients and families.

"Nurses, social workers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, neuro-psychologists, special education professionals and family members are involved in the treatment processes in addition to the physicians.

"Each has a depth of expertise in their respective fields. The team, as a unit, plays an integral role in the continuum of care for individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities."