Neighbors oppose New Mahaven Temple conditional-use permit; commission split, matter sent to council

The Corcoran Planning Commission heard a contested conditional-use permit (CUP) and site-plan application from the New Mahaven Temple for a place of worship at 8750 Trailhaven Road and split on a recommendation to the City Council.

Planning staff described the request as a place of worship in the rural residential district for a 5.65-acre property. Staff said the applicants propose to convert an existing pole barn to the principal structure and expand it, provide a paved parking lot with 21 stalls (the zoning calculation required 19 stalls), screening landscaping and eight wall-mounted lights. The staff report concluded the proposal meets the code standards for a CUP and site plan subject to conditions such as final lighting cutoffs, full screening of refuse storage, and landscaping and buffer requirements.

Several nearby residents urged denial at the public hearing, citing traffic and safety at the Trailhaven/County Road 10 intersection, nighttime light intrusion,…