For the Planning Commission Meeting of October 2, 2024
TO: Honorable Chairman and Planning Commissioners
APPROVAL: Colby Cataldi, Director of Community Development
REVIEWED BY: Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
FROM: Daniel Casey, Principal Planner
Title
Conditional Development Permit No. 2023-0025 & Precise Plan of Design No. 2023-0036: A request to allow the construction of a 3,382 square foot addition to an existing church located at 222 E. Easton Street (APN: 0127-031-01) within the Single-Family Residential (R-1A) zone. This project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Body
APPLICANT:
Blessed John XXIII Catholic Community, Inc., 1201 E. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92404
LOCATION:
The project site is located at 222 E. Easton Street (APN: 0127-031-01), which is located at the northeast corner of Highland Avenue and Easton Street (Refer to the attached Location Map (Exhibit A)).
BACKGROUND:
Surrounding General Plan Land Use Designations
Location
General Plan Designation
Site
Community Commercial
North
SR-210 Freeway
East
Residential 6 (2.1 - 6.0 du/acre)
South
Residential 6 (2.1 - 6.0 du/acre)
West
Public Facility
Surrounding Zoning Designations
Location
Zoning
Site
Single-Family Residential (R-1A)
North
SR-210 Freeway
East
Single-Family Residential (R-1A)
South
Single-Family Residential (R-1A)
West
Single-Family Residential (R-1A)
Site Characteristics
The project site is an asymmetrical-shaped area of land approximately 4.03 acres in size that was developed into a church in 1963 under Conditional Development Permit No. 58. Improvements on the church site consist of an existing 14,009 square foot building, a parking lot containing 222 parking spaces, and landscaping.
Surrounding Area
The project site is bound by an existing segment of Sycamore Avenue to the east, an existing segment of Easton Street to the south, and an existing segment of Highland Avenue on the west. To the north of the project site is the SR-210 Freeway, to the east and south are existing single-family residences, and to the west is an existing water reservoir tank facility.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
Project Proposal
The applicant proposes to construct a 3,382 square foot addition to the existing 14,009 square foot church building. As shown on the site plan (Exhibit B) and floor plan (Exhibit C), the project will include a 1,516 square foot addition to the east side of the sanctuary area, referred to as the "East Wing", and an 1,866 square foot addition to the west side of the sanctuary area, referred to as the "West Wing". The new East and West Wings will increase the seating capacity of the church from 352 seats to 656 seats, and include three (3) new restrooms, a new confessional room, and an expansion of an existing vestry room. Other proposed improvements of the project include a new landscape planter on the west side of the West Wing, a new landscape planter in the parking lot, and the reconfiguration of parking lot striping to provide better efficiency for on-site traffic circulation.
Entitlement Requirements
Per Section 18.66.060 of the Rialto Municipal Code, the modification and expansion of a church requires Planning Commission approval of a Conditional Development Permit, and per Section 18.65.010 of the Rialto Municipal Code, the proposed building addition, and the associated improvements, requires Planning Commission approval of a Precise Plan of Design.
Architectural Design
As shown on the elevations (Exhibit D), the architectural style and exterior finishes of the proposed addition will match the existing style and finishes of the church. This includes a beige colored stucco finish, brick accents, windows, and pitched roofs. Additionally, the applicant proposes to reconstruct the roof over the existing sanctuary area. The roof modification will feature a maximum height of 27 feet, a 4:12 pitch, and an enlarged stucco fascia above the church entrance.
Parking
The church will have 210 passenger vehicle parking spaces, including five (5) ADA accessible parking spaces upon completion of the project. This quantity exceeds the minimum parking requirement as shown in the parking calculation chart below and as required by Chapter 18.58 (Off-Street Parking) of the Rialto Municipal Code:
Type of Use
Number of Fixed Seats
Parking Ratio
Number of spaces required
Church
656
1 space / 4 seats
164
Total Required/Total Provided
164/210
Land Use Compatibility
The project and its design are consistent with the Single-Family Residential (R-1A) zone and the Design Guidelines contained within Chapter 18.61 of the Rialto Municipal Code. The church has existed at the location since 1963 and it is compatible with the surrounding residential uses. The population of Rialto has grown significantly since 1963 and the expansion will assist the church in serving the community's religious needs.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
The project is consistent with the following goals of the Land Use Element of the Rialto General Plan:
Goal 2-16: Improve the architectural and design quality of development in Rialto.
Goal 2-19: Encourage neighborhood preservation, stabilization, and property maintenance.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
California Environmental Quality Act
The project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Existing Facilities. Class 1 allows for the exemption of a project consisting of additions to existing structures provided that the addition will not result in an increase of more than 10,000 square feet if the project is in an area where all public services and facilities are available to allow for maximum development permissible in the General Plan and the area in which the project is located is not environmentally sensitive. The project involves the construction of a 3,382 square foot building addition to an existing church, thereby qualifying the project for a Class 1 exemption. A completed Notice of Exemption form is attached to agenda report (Exhibit E).
.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
The City published a public hearing notice for the proposed project in the San Bernardino Sun newspaper, posted copies of the public hearing notice outside the Council Chambers, and mailed public hearing notices to all property owners within 660 feet of the project site, as required by State law.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning Division recommends that the Planning Commission:
1. Determine that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Existing Facilities, of the CEQA Guidelines and direct Staff to file the Notice of Exemption with County of San Bernardino; and,
2. Adopt the attached Resolution (Exhibit F) to approve Conditional Development Permit No. 2023-0025, subject to the findings and conditions therein; and
3. Adopt the attached Resolution (Exhibit G) to approve Precise Plan of Design No. 2023-0036, subject to the findings and conditions therein.