Planning commission approves Saint Helena Community Church renovation, CUP and design review at 1343 Spring Street

The Planning Commission on May 6 approved a conditional use permit amendment and major design review for the Saint Helena Community Church project at 1343 Spring Street, voting unanimously to adopt a CEQA exemption and authorize renovation, demolition of later additions, new construction and associated site work.

Planning staff presented the item and recommended three actions: (1) find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the applicable categorical exemptions, (2) approve the conditional use permit amendment to allow church use on a property with a history as the Saint Helena Montessori School, and (3) approve major design review for the restoration and new construction. The motion, moved and seconded during the hearing, passed on a roll call vote of 5–0.

Project summary and staff findings

City project manager Linda Roofing (North Coast Community Planning, presenting for staff) described the proposal from Centric Building Inc. and the Saint Helena Community Church. The project would restore the historic residence‑turned‑church (original house constructed in 1874, converted in the mid‑1950s), remove three nonhistoric additions, construct a chancel extension, add a covered exterior podium and a new unconditioned Sunday school classroom (a greenhouse‑style polycarbonate structure), and build an attached support services building with a two‑story parsonage and storage. Site work includes new parking, landscaping, hardscaping, irrigation, exterior lighting and…