The Angels Camp City Council voted on Nov. 18 to deny an appeal of a Planning Commission decision and uphold a conditional use permit allowing a pastoral office and community education center — including a high-school program — to occupy a downtown storefront. The decision followed nearly four hours of testimony from business owners, residents and the applicant about the project’s impact on downtown commerce, safety and parking.

Julie Douglas, owner of Crafty Chicks & Co., led the appellant’s case for reconsideration, telling the council she spoke for “downtown business owners and community members who care deeply about preserving the character and economic vitality of our historic district.” Douglas said the downtown has a high share of non‑retail storefronts and many vacancies and urged the city to apply rules and enforcement to keep visitor‑oriented uses in prime storefronts: “Why isn't the same level of attention applied to the types of businesses allowed to occupy these historic buildings, especially ones that require a conditional use permit?” she asked.

The applicant rebutted that the use — described in the permit as a community education center and pastoral offices — is an adaptive reuse that brings steady daytime pedestrian traffic and community programming. The applicant said students, parents and evening community choir nights already draw people downtown and argued the proposed use would increase, not reduce, foot traffic and safety: “We provide steady all day pedestrian traffic which is exactly what retail needs most,” the applicant said.

City planning staff summarized the project’s timeline and conditions: the property was listed for sale in May, the former restaurant closed in June, and on Oct. 9 the Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit with 18 conditions including life‑safety inspections, a manual fire alarm and a requirement that drop‑off and pickup occur behind the building in the parking lot per Caltrans guidance. Staff also noted the CUP limits the facility’s use and that code enforcement will be assigned to monitor compliance.

City Attorney Tom cautioned councilmembers about legal limits on local review of religious or institutional uses, citing federal law (the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act) and case law. He told the council that denying a permit because of potential revenue loss to the city is legally risky: courts have repeatedly said protecting commercial revenue alone is not a sufficiently compelling interest to deny a permit to a religious facility if denial would impose a substantial burden on the applicant.

Merchants and residents urged the council to pause and consider the long‑term effect on sales tax and tourism. Several downtown business owners raised two recurring concerns: (1) insufficient notice to tenants and merchants when Planning Commission notices are mailed only to property owners; and (2) safety and parking logistics on Highway 49/Main Street where drop‑off could affect traffic and sight lines. One merchant asked whether ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) licensing for nearby businesses could be affected by proximity to a school or religious facility, and staff responded that ABC largely follows local notice processes and that established businesses would typically be grandfathered.

Council members acknowledged the merchants’ concerns and expressed a desire to support downtown businesses, but the city attorney’s legal advice framed the decision. In deliberations multiple members said they were sympathetic to the economic concerns and asked staff to pursue stronger economic development activity for downtown; they also asked staff to ensure vigorous enforcement of CUP conditions if the use proceeds.

Councilmember Sterling (speaker recorded as moving the motion) moved to uphold the Planning Commission’s approval with its conditions; a second was recorded and the motion passed on a roll call vote. Council directed staff to have the city code‑compliance officer monitor conditions such as pickup/drop‑off, noise limits and life‑safety requirements and to report back if conditions are violated.

What happens next: The permit stands as approved by the Planning Commission with the stated conditions. Staff said code enforcement will monitor compliance and that council may revisit limits or conditions if violations occur. Several councilmembers said they would pursue a formal economic development plan in 2026 and work with downtown stakeholders to mitigate harm and identify support for businesses.

Reported speakers and attributions in this article come from the council meeting record and public testimony, including Julie Douglas (Crafty Chicks & Co.), planning staff (Amy), the city attorney, multiple downtown business owners and the applicant. The council’s vote to uphold the Planning Commission was recorded at the Nov. 18 meeting.