San Clemente zoning administrator approves temporary permit for Santa Margarita Stake youth conference with limits on lighting, sound and parking

The City of San Clemente zoning administrator on May 8 approved a temporary use permit for the Santa Margarita Stake youth conference at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints property at 310 Avenida Vista Montana, allowing outdoor activities and a temporary tabernacle tent May 23–26, 2025, with setup and teardown windows and new conditions limiting lighting, amplified sound and parking impacts.

The permit approval followed a staff presentation, an applicant statement and public comment from nearby residents who raised concerns about traffic, street parking, prior unpermitted events and noise. Zoning Administrator Adam Matamian said the city would apply conditions intended to protect adjacent homes while accommodating the religious exercise of the applicant.

Staff planner Laura Corey told the zoning administrator the request (project PHP25172; TUP25128) was for a faith‑based youth conference for about 200 participants age 14–18. The proposal includes a 50-by-70-foot enclosed courtyard tent with a small inner tent, a lighted ceremonial tree and a games area located in a portion of the on-site parking lot. Corey said the site contains up to 319 parking spaces; the game area would occupy roughly 89 spaces leaving roughly 230 spaces for regular parking. Corey said the project qualified for a categorical exemption under California Environmental Quality Act guidelines for existing facilities and accessory…