HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 PC 01-24 GREGORY BISHAY REPRESENTING ST. VERENA COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCHCONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO.32I5-23
MAJOR SITE PLAN NO. IO51-2I
DESIGN REVIEW NO. 1799.I5
RESOLUTION NO. PC OI-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ORANGE APPROVING CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT NO.3215-23, MAJOR SITE PLAN NO. IO54-
21, AND DESIGN REVIEW NO. 1799-15 TO CONSTRUCT
A MULTI.PURPOSE SERVICE BUILDING LOCATED AT
49I N HEWES STREET
APPLICANT: GREGORY BISHAY REPRESENTING ST. VERENA COPTIC
ORTHODOX CHURCH
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has authority per Orange Municipal Code(OMC) Section I 7.08.020, Section I 7.08.020B.2.a., Section I 7. 10.030C.1 .. Secrion
17.10.060E.2. and Section 17.10.080, to review and take action on all the subject applications;
and
WHEREAS, Conditional Use Permit No.32l5-23. Major Site plan No. 1054-21, and
Design Review No. 4799-15 was filed by Gregory Bishay, representing st. verena coptic
orthodox church in accordance with the provisions ofthe city oforange Municipal Codel and
WHEREAS' on March 2,2022, city departments reviewed the project, determined that
the project included all necessary application materials and met code requirements and
recommended that the project proceed to Design Review Committee and Planning Commission
review, subject to recommended conditions; and
WHEREAS' on october 4, 2023. the city's Design Review committee reviewed the
Project and recommended that the Planning Commission approve the project subject ro
conditions by a vote of five ayes; and
WHEREAS' the Planning Commission conducted a duly advertised public hearing on
January 15. 2023. at which time interested persons had an opportunit-v to testiry either in suppon
of or opposition to the proposed project and for the purpose of considering conditional Use
Permit No. 3215-23, Major Site PIan No. 1054-21, and Design Review No. 4799-15 upon
property located at 491 N Hewes street (Assessor Parcel Number 383-051-44), and as legally
described below; and
PARCEL 1 OF LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT NO. LL 89.9. RECORDED SEPTEMBER
6. 1989 AS INSTRUMENT NO. 89-47724'I OF OFFICIAL RECORDS. BEING A
PORTION OF LOT 12 IN BLOCK B OF THE LAND OF OGE AND BOND. IN THE
CITY OF ORANGE, COTINTY OF ORANG. STATE OF CALIFORNIA. AS SHOWN
Resolution No. PC 0l -24
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ON A MAP THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK 3, PAGES 430 AND 43I OF
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS OF LOS ANGELES CONTY. CALIFORNIA-
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, rhar the Planning Commission adopts
conditional use Permit No. 321 5-23. Major Site Ptan No. 1054-21 , and Design Review No.
4799-'15:' and approves plans to construct a new multi-purpose service building at an exisring
church located at 491 N Hewes Street ("Project") based on the following findings:
SECTION I - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO.3215.23
l. A Conditionol Use Permit shall be granted upon sound principles of land use and in
response to services required by the community.
Churches are conditionally permitted land use in the R-1-7 zone. CUp approval of the
multi-purpose building represents Phase II of a long-term church master plan and will
provide the parishioners with the additional room required for their congregation,s
recreational and religious educational activities. There is adequate parking on the site
to accommodate the new multi-purpose building in that the scheduling ofthe various
church activities are staggered such that parking will be contained on-site and will not
spill over to the surrounding residential neighborhoods. The sanctuary generates the
highest demand for parking spaces, requiring 100 spaces. The parking lot
accommodates 134 parking spaces. If all ofthe church activities (classrooms, liturgy.
choir practice, etc.) were to occur simultaneously, the OMC would require that l7g
parking spaces be provided. However, the schedule of activities shows that no other
activities would occur at the same time as any liturgy/mass. The deficiency of 44
parking spaces will not negatively impact the surrounding community, as conditions
have been imposed in this Resolution that limit when the liturgy, tutoring, bible study,
fellowship, church activities can occur.
2. A Conditional use Permit shall not be granted if it will cause deterioration of
bordering land uses or creole special problems for the area in which it is located.
The uses already exists and has existed harmoniously with the area in which the
church is located. Improvement to the area is anticipated with the new construction.
All parking needed to support the use could be accommodated on the site, based on
project conditions and associated staggered activity schedules.
The construction of the multi-purpose building will not negatively impact the
surrounding residential community. Church activities are scheduled such that no
other church activities can occur simultaneously with liturgy/mass, which creates the
greatest demand on parking. The schedule of the various church activities is
staggered such that there is sufficient parking for the parishioners and users of the
site. Parking will be contained on-site and wilt not spill over to the surrounding
residential neighborhoods. The day care/preschool will continue to comply with the
conditions of Conditional Use Permit No. 2370-01. Conditions have also been
imposed regulating the hours and prohibiting the use of amplified speakers etc. in the
outdoor patio area. Lighting for the site has also been analyzed and conditioned such
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that all lighting on the site shall be directed, controlled, and screened in such a
manner that it does not shine directly on sunounding properties. Shielding of the
light boxes shall be used so thal light spillage does not exceed 0.5 foot candles onto
the exterior property boundaries and surrounding residential properties (Condition
l8). Staff does not anticipate that the proposed project will result in deteriorating or
creating special problems for the community.
3. A Condilional Use Permit must be considered in relationship to its effect on the
community or neighborhood plan.for the area in which it is located.
The project has been analyzed in relationship to its effects on the commurity in which
it is located. Approval of the multi-purpose building will provide the parishioners
with the needed room for their recreational and religious education activities while
containing all vehicles on the subject site. Additionally, conditions regarding such
issues as the orientation of the lighting, hours of church activities. inability to use
amplified speakers outdoon. have been imposed on the project, so as to assure that the
quality of life ofthe sr.rrounding residents is not negatively impacted.
1. A Conditional Use Permit, if granted, shall be made subject to those conditions
necessary lo preserye the general welfare, not the individual welfare of any
particular applicant.
To maintain the integrity of the establishment's operation, several conditions have
been included in this Resolution so that the church will continue to operate in a
manner that preserves the general welfare ofthe community. Conditions have been
imposed that prohibit the use ofan amplified sound system (Condition l6), prohibit
any other church activities lrom occurring simultaneously with the liturgy/worship
which generates the highest parking demand (Condition l9), and condition the
orientation and foot-candles of the new light standards (Condition 18), and timit the
hours of any outdoor activities (Condition I 7).
SECTION 2 - MAJOR SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. IO54-2I
Required Findings:
l. The project design is compatible with surrounding development and neighborhoods
The project meets this finding. The proposed multi-purpose buitding ties into the
colors, materials and design of the existing buildings on the site. A combination of
green screens for vine planting and tall vertical trees will buffer the view of the
proposed building as seen from the sffeet. The Design Review Committee reviewed
the project design and found that it was appropriate for the site in relation to its
surroundings, with recommended conditions included in this Resolution.
2. The projecr conforms to City development standards and any applicable special
design guidelines or specific plan requirements.
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The Project meets this finding. The Project was reviewed by the City's development
review team, consisting of members from every department. City staff determined
that the project meets development standards ofthe Orange Municipal Code.
There are no other specific plans or special design guidelines for the site.
3. The project provides for safe and adequate vehicular and pedestrian circulation, both
on- and off4i1s.
The Project meets this finding. Access to the site will continue to occur via two
access points on N. Hewes SEeet and E. Walnut Avenue. The volume of traffic could
expand as a result of increased services, however, the City's Traffic Division has
determined that existing adjacent roadways will be able to continue to provide safe
and adequate vehicular and pedestrian access. On-site circulation has been designed
to accommodate emergency responder vehicles, access to the site, and parking and
path oftravel for disabled persons per building code requirements.
4. City services are available and adequate to serve the project.
The Project was reviewed by the City's inter-departmental Staff Review Committee
and City services were found to be sufficient to serve the project. The Project is infill
development located on a site that is already developed with a surface parking lot,
and sanctuary building in an area of the City that is built out. As such, City services
are already available in the area to serve the site. Therefore, the project meets this
finding.
5. The project has been designed to fully mitigate or substantially minimize adverse
environmental effects.
The proposed Project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the Califomia
Environmental Qualiry Acr (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines 15332 (Class 32: In-
Fill Development Projects) because the Project is consistent with the City's General
Plan and zoning regulations, is located on a site that is less than 5 acres, is not located
in an area that is environmentally sensitive, will not result in any significant effects
relating to traffic, noise, air quality or water quality, and the site can be adequately
served by all required utilities and public services.
SECTION 3 - DESIGN REVIEW NO..1799-15
Required Findings.
The project design upholds community aesthetics through the use of an
inlernally consistent, integrated design theme and is consistent with all adopted
speciJic plans, applicable design standards and their required findings.
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The exterior design of the proposed multi-purpose building is compatible with the
eclectic residential character of the surrounding community and is similar to the
style to the nearby La Purisma Church, located south of the subject property. At the
October 4, 2023 meeting, the Design Review Committee reviewed and
recommended approval to the Planning Commission of the design of propose multi-
purpose building. subject to recommended conditions ofapproval.
SECTION { - CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the fbllowing conditions shall be imposed with the
recommendation of approval:
The Project shall conform in substance and be maintained in general conformance with
plans and exhibits labeled as Attachment 5 (date stamped 12111123) in the Planning
Commission staff report, including modifications required by the conditions of approval, as
approved by the Planning Commission.
The applicant agrees, as a condition of City's approval Conditional Use Permit No. 3215-
23, Major Site Plan No. 1054-21, and Design Review No. 4799-15, to indemnifu, defend,
and hold harmless, at applicant's expense, the City, its officers, agents, and employees
("City") from and against any claim, action or proceeding brought againsl the City.
including, but not limited to, any claim, action or proceeding commenced within the time
period provided in Govemment Code Section 66499.37 to attack, review, set aside. void or
annul the City's approval, to challenge the determination made by the City under the
Califomia Environmental Quality Act C'CEQA) or to challenge the reasonableness,
legality or validity ofany condition attached hereto. City shall promptly notiry applicant of
any such claim, action or proceeding to which the City receives notice and to cooperate
fully with the applicant in the defense thereof. Applicant shall reimburse the City for any
and all costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, court costs and attomey's fees that
the City may be required to pay. including any expenses ordered by a court or expenses
incurred through the Office of the City Attomey in connection with said claim, action or
proceeding. City may, in its sole discretion, participate in the defense of any claim, action
or proceeding but such participation shall not relieve applicant of the obligations of this
condition. In the event the applicant is required to defend City in connection with such
claim, action or proceeding, City shall have the right to approve counsel to so defend the
City, approve alt significant decisions conceming the manner in which the defense is
conducted and approve any all settlements, which approval(s) shall not be unreasonably
withheld. The obligations set forth herein remain in full force and effect throughout all
stages of litigation including any and all appeals of any lower court judgment rendered in
the proceeding. Further, applicant agrees to indemnifu, defend and hold harmless the City
for all costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this provision.
The applicant shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws, including all City
regulations. Violation of any of those laws in connection with the use may be cause for
revocation of this permit.
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10.
The term "applicant" shall refer to the entity that requests approval of this action or any
successor in interest to this approval.
Conditional Use Permit No. 3215-23, Major Site Plan No. 1054-21, and Design Review
No.4799-15 shall become void if not vested within two years from the date of approval.
Time extensions may be granted for up to one year, pursuant to OMC Section 17.08.060.
Except as otherwise provided herein, this Project is approved as a precise plan. After any
application has been approved, if changes are proposed regarding the location or alteration
of any use or structure. a changed plan may be submitted to the Community Development
Director lor approval. If the Community Development Director determines that the
proposed change complies with the provisions and the spirit and intent of the approval
action, and that the action would have been the same for the changed plan as for the
approved plan, the Community Development Director may approve the changed plan
without requiring a new public hearing.
Any modifications to the plans including, but not limited to, the landscaping and parking as
a result of other Department requirements such as Building Codes, water quality, Fire. or
Police shall be submitted for review and approval to the community Development Director
or designee. Should the modifications be considered substantial. the modifications shall be
reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission.
Approved landscape areas shall be maintained in a neat and healthy condition. Should
plant material die, the applicant shall replace at the earliest time with similar plant material.
The 34 Italian cypress trees which are a part of the Conditional Use permit No.2370-01,
shall be installed as part of development of Phase II (multipurpose building) ofthe church
Master Plan in order to mitigate the visual impacts of the proposed building to the adjacent
single-family residences.
The applicant shall remove the proposed observation deck at the southeast corner of the
proposed multipurpose building, replacing it with a hip roof finished with the same claytile. This change shall be reflected on construction documents for confirmation by the
Planning Division prior to the issuance ofa building permit.
The Brisbane box trees adjacent to the new multipurpose building shatl be replaced by a
tree that accomplishes the same or similar purpose. city Planning staff shall coordinate
with the project Landscape Architect in the selection ofthe replacement rree species.
Additional street trees shall be provided near the northeast and driveway into the property
per the requirements of Public Works. Street trees shall be reflected on construction
documents lbr confirmation by the Planning Division prior to the issuance of a building
permit. The applicant shall coordinate with the City's Street Tree Coordinator on the
selection and installation ofthese trees prior to issuance ofa Certificate ofOccupancy.
The existing Camphor Trees located in front ofthe existing sanctuary shall remain in place
until Phase III construction ofthe church Master Plan-
The proposed Crape Myrtle trees in association with the church's sanctuary be replaced
with groupings of Califomia fan palms and that can occur during Phase III construction ol
the church Master Plan.
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Resolution No. PC 0l -24
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15. The use of any ampli$ing system, sound system, or speakers shall not be permitted
outdoors.
16. Fellowship or any similar group activities shall not occur in the outdoor patio area (or
outdoors) after l0:00 pm, so as not to disturb the proximate residents.
17 . Prior to issuance of building permit, a plan showing compliance with the standard of a
minimum of one foot candle shall be maintained on all surfaces of the parking lot, lrom
dusk until the termination of business every operating day. The applicant shall ensure that
lighting on the site shall be directed, controlled, and screened in such a manner so as to
refrain from shining directly on surrounding properties. The applicant shall use shietding
so as to ensure that the light standards meet the requirements of OMC Section 17.12.030
for the areas beyond the property's exterior boundaries; light spillage or pollution to
sunounding residential areas shall not exceed a maintained minimum of 0.5 foot-candle.
Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the applicant shall schedule a light
reading inspection with the Crime Prevention Bureau. The lighting shall be tested and
confirmed to determine if the lighting meets or exceeds the exterior boundary standards.
18. Other church activities shall not be held simuttaneously during Liturgy services. Church
activities shall be held consecutively not simultaneously unless it can be seen with cenainty
that two simultaneous activities will not result in a need of off-street parking than what is
provided at the site.
19. In conjunction with the operation ofthe complex the property owner shall be responsible to
maintain the property to a level deemed adequate by the community Development
Director. This includes, but is not limited to, the buildings, carports, landscape on-site,
recreational facilities, trash areas, signage, utilities, property walls, and gates.
20. The applicant shall continue to comply with all conditions of approval of PC Resolution
No. 23-09, unless otherwise specified herein.
21. The existing day care/preschool shall continue to operate in compliance with the conditions
contained within cUP No. 2370-01. Any changes to the day care/preschool's building or
operation shall require approval of a modification to the existing CUp.
22. These conditions shall be reprinted on the second page of the construction documents when
submitted to the Buitding Division for the plan check process.
ADOPTED this l5s day of January 2024.
David Vazquez, Planning Commissio r
I hereby certiry that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the planning commission
of the city of orange at a regular meeting thereof held on the I 5th day of Janu ary 2024, by the
following vote:
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AYES: Martinez. Simpson, Maldonado. Tucker. McCormack, Vazquez. Vejar
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Anna Pehoushek
Assistant Community Development Director
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