Zoning administrator permits Thrive Church relocation with parking reduction at 3410 Industrial Drive

Zoning Administrator McKay approved a minor conditional use permit to allow Thrive Church to operate at 3410 Industrial Drive, including a requested reduction in required off‑street parking.

Staff said the site is in a developed light‑industrial area in northwest Santa Rosa and that the building exterior would not be changed. The zoning code requires 66 off‑street spaces for the proposed meeting‑facility use; the site contains 34 on‑site spaces. A parking study by W‑Trans (April 2025) found the Sunday morning peak demand for the proposed church use would be 46 off‑street spaces, which is 12 spaces fewer than the code requirement and 12 spaces more than the site provides. Staff noted there are multiple on‑street spaces within 350 feet of the site that the study identified as available for overflow parking when most businesses are closed.

Staff reported the project was reviewed under CEQA and found categorically exempt under §15301; staff also referenced CEQA Guidelines §15183 consistent with the city’s certified General Plan EIR (certified by city council in February 2009). No public comments were received in writing; one in‑person question asked what types of events beyond holidays might be held. The applicant replied that events would be limited to gatherings such as Christmas Eve and did not envision broader large events. McKay said the site is suitable given building scale and available parking and approved the conditional use permit with the parking reduction. He reminded the public the decision is final unless appealed to the city clerk’s office within 10 calendar days (appeal deadline 2025-04-28).