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 structures (CEQA Guidelines §§15301, 15311) and recommended approval.

Principal planner Zachary (last name not given) said staff had reviewed concerns raised by residents and interested parties, noting the church’s normal Sunday capacity is larger and that most attendees for the youth conference are expected to carpool. Jeff Star, representing the applicant, said the conference is a biennial youth program with service, activities and a presentation of a tabernacle replica; he said participants would not stay overnight and that organizers expect leaders to transport younger participants. "They're good kids," Star said of the attendees.

Nearby residents and the Rancho Christianitas homeowners association submitted letters and spoke at the hearing, citing prior events that caused parking spillover and asserting concerns about notice, traffic, noise and lighting. Resident Tim Brown, who identified himself as a former San Clemente council member and mayor, urged better coordination with neighbors and said, "That type of thing should never happen," referring to earlier parking on a private street.

Matamian reviewed public notices and letters, referenced the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) as a legal constraint on imposing burdens on religious exercise, and asked the applicant questions about likely peak occupancy and whether amplified sound would be used. The applicant said amplified sound would be limited to a single speaker (lapel mic) for the Friday tree-lighting ceremony to address attendees, not music, and that amplified sound would not be used for the games area.

The zoning administrator approved the staff recommendation with modifications recorded in Resolution ZA25-010 (adopted at the hearing). Key conditions added or clarified in the approval include: - CEQA: Determination the project is categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines §§15301 and 15311. - Hours: Revised setup hours, event hours and teardown hours as specified in the resolution; lighting associated with the ceremonial tree must be turned off by 9:30 p.m. - Lighting: All outdoor lighting, including string lights, must be shielded to direct light away from adjoining properties; staff may request code compliance staff to assist in evaluating compliance with the lighting condition. - Amplified sound: Amplified sound is limited to the Friday evening tree-lighting ceremony (a speaker addressing participants) and is prohibited elsewhere; the resolution includes a sound-level expectation and recommends monitoring, with the applicant encouraged to use a decibel-measurement app. - Parking: The games area may reduce on-site parking by no more than 90 spaces; the applicant must encourage all event participants to park on-site and promote carpooling. - Games area: Activities in the parking-lot game area are limited to team-building exercises and relays; booths or carnival-style attractions are prohibited. - Site restoration: The site must be cleaned and restored to its original condition by noon on May 26, 2025 (teardown timing clarified in the resolution).

Matamian said the conditions were intended to be the least-restrictive means to accommodate the religious event while addressing the neighborhood’s concerns. He moved to adopt the resolution and "the event is approved," concluding the public hearing.

The zoning administrator noted the city mails postcard notices within 300 feet and acknowledged some mailed cards were returned; he also referenced code enforcement follow-up on previously unpermitted events and said the church has since worked with city staff to resolve past problems. He reminded residents that privately owned streets are subject to separate towing enforcement and that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department can respond to illegal parking complaints on private streets.

The permit requires the applicant to obtain any building and fire permits for tents from the Orange County Fire Authority and comply with applicable public‑health and fire safety standards.

The zoning administrator adjourned the meeting and said the final signed resolution and permit documents would be provided to the applicant and posted in the city file. The next zoning administrator meeting was scheduled for 3 p.m. May 22, 2025, at the Community Development Department.