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 described family medical vulnerabilities, saying unexpected loud noise could threaten a family member's health.

Planning staff presented project details and environmental analysis, including a traffic/parking assessment and a noise and lighting technical review. Staff described the use as a training facility with small training fields (not full-size game fields), and said a total of 39 on-site parking spaces are provided; staff compared that to the code baseline and to a business operations estimate that a peak demand of about 26–29 spaces would occur. Staff also noted planning commission changes and conditions that prohibit walk-in tournaments, outdoor amplified music, whistles and horns, and limit hours; the commission added a condition requiring an indemnity for the city.

After testimony from residents, applicants and consultants, council members discussed potential mitigation measures. Council members asked for stronger assurances on safety and neighborhood impacts. The council approved the project with additional conditions beyond the planning commission package: overhead netting above the rooftop fields to prevent balls from reaching neighbors; a requirement that landscaping plans use mature trees (per the city's definition) along the rear property line; a requirement for a post-construction noise study and a post-construction photometric survey prior to final occupancy to demonstrate compliance with Baldwin Park noise (55 dB daytime / 50 dB evening) and light standards (no light trespass); and a tightened hours-of-operation schedule.

Votes and motions: The council discussion culminated in a motion to approve the commission decision with modifications. The motion passed on roll call: Council member Estrada and Mayor Pro Tem Damien and Mayor Alejandra Avila voted yes; Council member Ayala and Council member Lozano recorded No on the final procedural roll call as recorded in the transcript. The clerk recorded the motion as carrying 3-0 in favor of approval with conditions.

What the council required: Key post-approval conditions (as recorded at the meeting) include: mandatory overhead safety netting covering the rooftop fields, mature trees/shrubs along the rear property line, no outdoor amplified music or whistles/horns, exterior field lights off by a specified evening hour and training programs ending earlier than originally proposed, and submission of follow-up noise and photometric verification prior to certificate-of-occupancy. The council also encouraged the applicant to consider discounted rates or proof-of-residency pricing for Baldwin Park youth; staff indicated such details could be negotiated in business operations and community benefit discussions.

Why it matters: The vote ends an extended review of a proposal that neighbors said would alter the character and livability of their backyards. Planning staff, consultants and the applicant argued the narrow training use — limited ages, no tournaments or full-size games, and specific operational controls — can operate without exceeding municipal noise and lighting standards if the required mitigation is in place. The added post-construction verification steps give the city clear compliance checkpoints before occupancy.