2003-0705  – Buddha Gate Monastery [Applicant] Chris Hygelund [Owner] – Application for a Special Development Permit on a 51,401 square foot site to allow the use of a Zen meditation information and resource center to a portion of an existing industrial building.  The property is located at 1031 North Fair Oaks Avenue in an M-S/ITR/R-3 (Industrial and Service/Industrial to Residential/Medium Density Residential) Zoning District. (APN: 110-14-168) EW

In attendance: Angela Chen, Applicant; Teresa Lee; Randy Tam; Vea Tian Hu; Michael Cheng; Li-Sheng Fu; Trudi Ryan; Administrative Hearing Officer; Erin Walters, Project Planner; and, Gloria Barron, Recording Secretary. 

Ms. Trudi Ryan, Administrative Hearing Officer, on behalf of the Director of Community Development, explained the format that would be observed during the public hearing.

Ms. Ryan announced the subject application.

Erin Walters, Project Planner, presented the staff repost.  She summarized the subject application and recommended approval of the Special Development Permit subject to the Conditions of Approval.   

Ms. Ryan opened the public hearing.

Ms. Ryan verified with staff that the adjacent tenants received notification of the application.  Staff confirmed that they did receive notification.  She then asked staff if there would be enough parking spaces available, during the day, if the facility decided to hold meetings or sessions in the morning.  Staff responded that there would be enough parking spaces to accommodate meditation sessions throughout the day.  Ms. Ryan noted that the area is zoned to eventually become residential and asked staff if the application would not procure that transition or if the application would be compatible with residential.  Staff responded that if the adjacent site were to become residential the site would be compatible.  Ms. Ryan then asked staff if she thought some parking spaces could be used for landscaping.  Staff agreed and stated that she could talk to the applicant about that.  Ms. Ryan asked staff if it would be appropriate to add sidewalks to the site.  Staff stated that there is an existing sidewalk on site. 

Angela Chen, Applicant, received and reviewed a copy of the staff report.  Ms. Ryan asked Ms. Chen if it would be possible to dedicate a couple of parking spaces for landscaping.  Ms. Chen responded that because the landlord was not present she did not feel comfortable answering that question.  Ms. Chen stated that there is landscaping in the front area and felt landscaping in the back would not be necessary.  Ms. Ryan stated that the current regulations require that parking lots be landscaped so that in the future 50% of the parking lot will be shaded as a way of controlling temperature.

Ms. Ryan closed the public hearing.

Ms. Ryan asked staff if there has been much success in the past when parking lots have been turned around and used for landscaping.  Staff stated that it depends on how the landscaping is installed and noted that the beds are really shallow. 

Ms. Ryan approved the Special Development Permit with the Findings provided by staff and noted that there is really not a nexus there to increase the amount of landscaping at this time. Ms. Ryan also approved the Conditions of Approval as recommended by staff.

Ms. Ryan stated that the decision is final unless appealed during the 15-day appeal period.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

Minutes approved by:

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Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer