SUNNYVALE, Calif. – The City of Sunnyvale has placed a hold on using commercial and industrial space as places of community assembly. The moratorium extends to the use of industrial-zoned properties for amusement or recreation purposes. The moratorium will last until the end of March 2006, unless repealed earlier by the Sunnyvale City Council.

Sunnyvale currently does not have a City strategy that deals with permitting these activities, and has had to deal with them on a case-by-case basis. “Our concern is that with the region’s economic downturn, commercial and industrial property values have dropped, making it more appealing to non-traditional uses,” explained Sunnyvale Planning Officer Trudi Ryan. “We have had a dramatic increase in applications for these non-traditional uses, such as religious facilities, community centers and sports facilities. One of our major concerns is compatibility of use. Allowing public gatherings in industrial and commercial areas may create mixes that are not desirable. In addition, as the economy recovers, if too much space has been converted for these non-traditional uses, we may be at a loss to fill the increasing needs for industrial and commercial space.”

The moratorium has been enacted to allow City Council time to complete a study issue on the impact of these uses. In enacting the moratorium, Council specifically exempted “seminary” uses, which is defined by the City as an institution providing adult religious education for less than 40 students. Council also approved the processing of any applications that had been completed and submitted prior to September 20.

For more information about the moratorium, please contact Planning Officer Trudi Ryan at (408) 730-7440, TDD (408) 730-7501.