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Planning commission approves conditional-use permit for Tianlu Christian Church at 222 Winchester Place
Summary
The commission voted 4-0 to approve a conditional use permit allowing Tianlu Christian Church to operate worship services and occasional training in an existing commercial building at 222 Winchester Place, subject to conditions including video surveillance and limits on outdoor speakers and storage.
The San Gabriel Planning Commission voted 4-0 to approve a conditional use permit that will allow Tianlu Christian Church to operate at 222 Winchester Place.
Staff said the church plans Sunday worship services from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., weekly theological training on Friday nights, and will occupy two adjoining commercial parcels that together provide 38 parking spaces (the staff report said the combined parking exceeds the required 32 spaces). Staff recommended a condition that the two properties be leased by a single entity so the church retains access and parking, because the northern parcel (222 Winchester) has no direct street access and is reached through the southern parcel (220 Winchester).
Planning staff described the site as two commercial buildings on approximately 21,000 square feet in a retail-commercial (C1) zone; the project would use an existing assembly area of about 664 square feet with 15 benches (capacity up to 45) and the remainder as administrative and vesting rooms. The properties were previously occupied by a massage establishment and an adult day health care provider and have been vacant for multiple years, according to business-license records.
The San Gabriel Police Department reviewed the proposal and recommended security measures, including a video-surveillance system, exterior lighting with vandal-resistant covers and a requirement that management immediately notify police of crimes or nuisance incidents; staff included conditions to prevent outdoor storage and use of outdoor audio equipment. The project was found exempt from CEQA under Guidelines section 15301 (existing facilities). Notices were mailed to owners and tenants within 300 feet and the item was advertised in the San Gabriel Sun.
A representative for the applicant told commissioners the lease is in place tying the two parcels together and that the project team reviewed and agreed to the recommended conditions. Commissioners had a brief question about what would occur if the southern parcel were sold; staff said if access or parking were lost the church would need to find alternative access and parking. The motion to approve passed 4-0.
