Council upholds planning approval with conditions for indoor/outdoor soccer training facility at Joan Bridge after heated neighborhood appeal

The Baldwin Park City Council on May 7 affirmed the Planning Commission's approval of a conditional use permit and design review for an indoor/outdoor soccer training facility at 14412 and 14424 Joan Bridge Street, adopting additional conditions intended to limit noise, light and safety impacts raised by nearby residents.

The project applicant, coach and trainer Sheema Berenji, described the proposal as a youth-focused training facility she has developed through her coaching work. "This isn't just a business venture for me. This is personal," Berenji told the council, and she said the facility would provide training and mentorship for local youth.

Neighbors who live directly behind the site appealed the commission approval and urged the council to deny the project, saying the site is too close to homes and questioning the project's noise, lighting, parking and setback impacts. Appellant Susan Cole said the proposal would ‘‘jeopardize’’ backyard privacy and cited measurements from a similar facility that showed higher peak noise readings. Neighbor Maribel Canales…