Planning Commission approves conditional use permit for Hindu community facility at former Moose Lodge in Old Town

The Newark Planning Commission on the evening of Sept. 23 approved a conditional use permit and design review to convert the vacant Moose Lodge at 6840 Rich Avenue into a Hindu community assembly facility. The resolution, adopted by voice vote, imposes conditions requiring site repairs, interior life‑safety and code upgrades, and prohibits outdoor events without separate permits.

Staff planner Brandon DeLucas told the commission the project will occupy the existing 5,730‑square‑foot building and include interior electrical, plumbing and mechanical upgrades; minor exterior elevation changes; repair of a degraded parking lot (slurry seal and targeted repairs); replacement of dead landscaping; upgraded exterior lighting to meet municipal code; repair of a damaged curb, gutter and sidewalk along the shared driveway at Magnolia; and added bicycle parking. DeLucas said the applicant plans to readdress the building to Magnolia for fire‑response purposes. Staff recommended approval and determined the project was categorically exempt under CEQA Sections 15300 (existing facilities) and 15061 (common‑sense exemption).

The applicant, represented by Joe Halasic of NOAH Group Architects, said the building is currently in poor condition, has been boarded and occupied by vagrants at times, and that the proposed temple would typically be low‑occupancy and quiet except for a few annual auspicious events. Halasic said the renovation would provide security, lighting and regular activity that staff and neighbors view as a public‑safety improvement.

Neighbors and owners spoke during public comment with differing views. Chris Shaw, whose family has owned property adjacent to the site since 1960, urged the commission to deny the permit on the basis that the use does not fit the Old Town overlay’s pedestrian‑oriented retail and cultural identity, and argued it would not support nearby food businesses. Representatives of the property ownership team said they intend the temple as an interim use for two to three years while they pursue longer‑term residential redevelopment, and asked the commission to consider the temporary nature in applying conditions. Staff said they received no written neighbor responses and confirmed ongoing code enforcement notices at the property, which motivated the condition set to bring the building into compliance for the proposed use.

Commissioners asked about operating hours, parking and noise. Staff said the applicant proposes hours of operation Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–11 a.m. and 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; internal activities must comply with Newark’s noise ordinance, and the CUP does not authorize outdoor music or outdoor amplified events (those would require separate permits). Staff also said the Old Town overlay exempts the project from otherwise applicable additional parking because the use is the same category as the previous assembly use; the project is technically short by approximately two to three stalls but allowed to continue that parking baseline.

After discussion the commission closed the public hearing. Commissioner Becker moved to approve the draft resolution and Commissioner Aguilar seconded. The commission adopted the resolution by voice vote; the record reflects five ayes. The conditions require the owner to complete the site repairs and interior upgrades necessary for code compliance, maintain the site to avoid recurring code violations, and obtain separate permits for any outdoor events.

The resolution and staff report identify the property owner as Rich Avenue Properties LLC, list the project’s APN as 092‑0052‑001‑04, and note the site is zoned CMU‑OT (Commercial Mixed Use, Old Town overlay).