PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-________
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MURRIETA APPROVING REVISED PERMIT (CUP) 2024-00030 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A 4,680 SQ. FT. BUILDING TO BE USED FOR ASSEMBLY – NOT ASSOCIATED WITH CHURCH SERVICES (YOUTH CENTER) ON 0.31 ACRES OF NET DISTURBANCE AREA WITH ASSOCIATED ON-SITE LANDSCAPING WITHIN A PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED CHURCH FACILITY (CALVARY CHAPEL MURRIETA) LOCATED AT 24225 MONROE AVENUE (APN: 949-090-038), WHEREAS, on May 8, 2024, an application was filed by Fausto Reyes (“Applicant”) on behalf of Calvary Chapel Murrieta (“Owner”) for a Revised Permit (CUP) 2024-00030 pursuant to sections 16.52 and 16.82 of the Development Code to allow the construction and operation of a youth center located at 24225 Monroe Ave., Assessor Parcel Number 949-090-038 (the “Project”); and WHEREAS, the Project involves expanding an existing church facility by developing a 0.31 net acre disturbance area for the construction and operation of a new 4,680 sf building (youth center) with associated on-site landscaping. The Project site is located south of Troyes Lane and west of Monroe Avenue within the previously developed church facility (Calvary Chapel) which is located on an 8.1 acre parcel and is comprised of Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN): 949-090-038; and WHEREAS, the Project site is bordered by Single-Family Residential 1 (SF-1) to the north, Open Space (OS) to the south, and east, and the I-15 Freeway to the west; and WHEREAS, the Project site on the City of Murrieta General Plan 2035 Land Use Map has a land use designation of Civic and Institutional; and WHEREAS, the Project site on the City of Murrieta Zoning Map is zoned Civic/Institutional (C/I), which allows for the Churches, Places of Worship use with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The application was deemed complete on January 14, 2025; and WHEREAS, The Project site was originally approved by Public Use Permit (PUP-94-047) on a 8.1 acre site on November 9, 1994; and WHEREAS, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (“MND”) was adopted by the Planning Commission on November 9, 1994; and WHEREAS, Section 16.52.020.A.1 of the Development Code authorizes the Planning Commission to approve and impose conditions of approval upon CUP applications; and WHEREAS, the City of Murrieta has undertaken a review of the requests, including an environmental analysis pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and WHEREAS, a Notice of Exemption (Section 15303) for New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, was prepared for the consideration of the Planning Commission, with the incorporation of the conditions and design considerations, in satisfaction of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and WHEREAS, a public hearing was duly noticed for the Planning Commission meeting of April 9, 2025, by mailing a notice to property owners within 300 feet of the perimeter of the Project site on March 24, 2025, publishing the notice in “The Press-Enterprise” newspaper on March 28, 2025, and posting the site on March 28, 2025; and WHEREAS, on April 9, 2025, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing, and considered all written and oral reports of staff, heard and considered public testimony on the matter, received written and oral testimony from the applicant, and considered related materials and communications which are reflected in the administrative record of this matter.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Planning Commission of the City of Murrieta resolves as follows:
SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 16.52.040 of the Development Code, and based upon the facts and statements of public and city staff, and information of record provided on the public hearing in this matter, the Planning Commission makes the following findings regarding the application for Revised Permit (CUP) 2024-00030:
The proposed use is conditionally allowed within, and would not impair the integrity and character of, the subject zoning district and complies with all applicable provisions of this development code; FACTS: The City of Murrieta Development Code Section 16.14.010, Table 16.14-1 allows the proposed expansion of Churches, Places of Worship and private schools, subject to the issuance of a Revised CUP. The Project, as described in the staff report, is a compatible use to the surrounding zoning within the area. The Project complies with applicable requirements identified in the Development Code for parking, noise, and waste management.
The proposed use is consistent with the objectives, policies, general land uses, and programs of the general plan, and any applicable specific plan; FACTS: The Project is consistent with General Plan Goal LU-1 which looks to provide a complementary balance of land uses throughout the community that meets the needs of existing residents and businesses by providing additional service-related use within the city. The Project is also consistent with Policies LU-1.2, LU-1.4, and LU-1.5, which encourage a wide variety of complementary land uses, both residential and non-residential in appropriate locations . The Project proposes a youth center that is consistent with the development of the existing church facility and nearby properties that will serve the local community and region.
The Project is consistent with General Plan Policy ED-3.1, which supports a diverse range of business activities, including professional/technical, information, technology-focused manufacturing, research and development, medical research and research institutions, educational services, medical/health services, and financial services. The Project will provide a youth center that will provide middle school and high school-aged kids with ministry-based educational services and spiritual guidance that can have a positive effect on their well-being and mental health by providing a sense of purpose, connection, and community.
The project is consistent with General Plan Policy CIR-2.1, which ensures the efficient and safe access for emergency vehicles by providing minimum drive aisle widths throughout the project for emergency vehicles.
The Project is not located within any applicable Specific Plan.
The approval of the conditional use permit for the proposed uses is in compliance with the requirements of the CEQA and there will be no potentially significant negative impacts on environmental quality and natural resources that could not be properly mitigated and monitored; FACTS: The Project has been reviewed for compliance with the CEQA, Class 3 exemption for new construction or conversion of small structures, pursuant to Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines. The proposed Project would not have the potential to cause a significant effect on the environment in that the project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies, as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations. The Project meets the criteria set forth in CEQA Section 15303(c) (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) which addresses the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities. This project is an assembly structure that is less than 10,000 square feet and does not involve the use of significant amounts of hazardous substances and all necessary public services and facilities are available, and the surrounding area is not environmentally sensitive. Furthermore, the exceptions listed in 15300.2 would not apply.
The site is suitable for the type and intensity of use or development that is proposed.
FACTS: The project expansion involves a modification to the existing facility impacting approximately 0.31 acres within the existing church facility site, which will be developed with a new 4,680 sf youth center with associated landscaping. Vehicular and public access to the site is provided via two (2) existing drive aisles located off Monroe Avenue which is a General Plan Circulation Element Street. Additionally, the lot size is adequate to accommodate the proposed use while complying with the City’s development standards.
There are adequate provisions for sanitation, water, and public utilities and services to ensure public convenience, health, safety, and general welfare.
FACTS: The Project will be served by the Eastern Municipal Water District, which provided a signed Project Facility Availability Form for Sewer and Water services, stating that facilities to serve the project are available. Electricity is provided by Southern California Edison Company and gas by the Southern California Gas Company. Waste Management provides residential and commercial waste disposal services in the City of Murrieta. The project site is located in an area where existing public safety and services are readily available.
The proposed use would not create significant noise, traffic, or other conditions or situations that may be objectionable or detrimental to other allowed uses in the vicinity or adverse to the public convenience, health, safety, or general welfare, or materially injurious to properties and improvements in the vicinity of the subject property.
FACTS: The Project will not have an adverse impact on the surrounding areas because the proposed site improvements, which include a new 4,680 square-foot assembly youth center and associated landscaping located within the interior of the site (115-foot setback) can be implemented without creating a significant impact on neighboring land uses. The expansion of the youth center to the existing church facility will not create any significant long-term impacts related to noise, traffic, air quality, or other resources since the project will not be increasing the originally permitted maximum number of seats for attendance, which allowed a 960-seat church complex with a 760-student private school as allowed by the original permit.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to the above findings, the Planning Commission of the City of Murrieta adopts the environmental determination and adopts this Resolution approving Revised Permit (CUP) 2024-00030 for the construction and operation of a youth center, subject to the conditions of approval in attached Exhibit A, and the Operations Statements in Exhibit B incorporated herein by this reference.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF 9th April, 2025 ______________________________
Planning Commission, Chairperson
ATTEST:
______________________________
Carl Stiehl, City Planner
I, Carl Stiehl, City Planner, City of Murrieta, California do hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission on the 9th day of April, 2025 by the following roll call vote:
MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER ____________________________ SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER _______________________________ AYES:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstained:
__________________________
Carl Stiehl, City Planner