Planning commission approves amendment to Pacifica Christian use permit to allow after-hours athletic training

The Newport Beach Planning Commission on Jan. 9 unanimously approved an amendment to Pacifica Christian High School’s conditional use permit to allow limited, after‑hours athletic training at a Production Place facility in an industrial zone.

The amendment modifies a condition of approval that previously prohibited students from using the Production Place site so the school can use the space for athletic training — batting cages, weights and conditioning — outside school hours. Staff told commissioners the amendment does not change the school’s maximum enrollment, staff totals, required parking or school hours established in the earlier permit.

The change matters because Production Place is in an industrial zoning district where schools are not allowed and the existing permit (filed as PA2023‑0078) had explicitly prohibited student access to the site to prevent instruction or PE classes there. Planning staff explained the proposed athletic training use would be similar to a studio land use, which is permitted in the industrial zone, and emphasized there will be no team practices, games or classroom instruction at the Production Place location.

Planning staff planner Jocelyn Perez reviewed the application and described the applicant’s operations and the requested change: “Pacifica operates pursuant to the conditional use permit filed as PA2023‑0078… There are no changes proposed to those operational characteristics as part of this application.” Perez also noted corrections to the resolution’s PA number and explained a certificate of compliance will be required prior to issuance of a building permit for the Production Place lot.

Shauna Schaffner, chief executive officer of CAA Planning, who represented the applicant, told the commission the request is “for after hours use by students, not during school day.” Jim Mosier, speaking as an individual and a member of the city’s general plan advisory committee, urged the commission to consider whether the athletic use is consistent with the general plan because the site is in an area the plan reserves for industrial uses.

Staff responded that the zoning code implements the general plan and that a studio-type use is allowed by right in the industrial district. After a brief public hearing and no questions from commissioners, one commissioner moved to adopt staff’s recommendation as presented (including the revised conditions), another commissioner seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

The resolution carries conditions that preserve the existing permit’s operational limits, update the wording of Condition 1 to reference the correct floor plans, require recordation of a certificate of compliance for the Production Place lot prior to building permit issuance, and carry forward condition 16 with the amended language allowing the athletic training use under the stated limits. The staff report recommended finding the project exempt from CEQA and adopting the resolution.

Commissioners closed the public hearing after the vote and congratulated the applicant. The item will be reflected in the city’s permit records under the updated PA number cited in the staff presentation.