Planning Commission approves conditional use permit for Tulare Christian Academy at 2100 East Cross Avenue
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Summary
The Tulare Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit allowing Tulare Christian Academy to operate at 2100 East Cross Avenue, initially serving TK–2 with about 55 students; staff said the facility is CEQA-exempt as an existing use.
The Tulare Planning Commission voted unanimously on Nov. 10 to approve Conditional Use Permit 2025-20, clearing the way for Tulare Christian Academy to operate out of the Tulare Evangelical Free Church at 2100 East Cross Avenue.
City staff presented the application and recommended approval, saying the existing church building is already configured with classrooms and that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under section 15301 (existing facilities). Staff described the initial plan as offering transitional kindergarten through second grade, accommodating approximately 55 students, with additional grades to be added in future years as space and enrollment allow. Regular hours would be Monday–Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with occasional after‑school programs and parent meetings.
Applicant Leah Silva told the commission she and several board members were present to move the project forward. "There are classrooms within the existing church building," Silva said, adding that no additional buildings were needed at this time and that the school planned to use an existing playground behind the sanctuary, with a fence to be installed.
Commissioners asked about site details and safety at nearby intersections. Staff confirmed the parcel immediately east of the church is city‑owned. One commissioner expressed reservations about traffic at the Cross and Mooney intersection and encouraged routing student drop‑off to Cross to the west; Silva said that was the plan.
The motion to adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit 2025‑20 was moved and seconded, and a roll call recorded ayes from Commissioners Henard, Lemus, Guerrero, Vice Chair Miller and Chair Miguel. The motion passed unanimously.
The staff report notes the fire marshal reviewed the building and that staff processed the applicant through the city site plan review and building department channels. The permit includes recommended conditions of approval listed in the staff report. The applicant indicated a target operational date of August 2026.
Next steps: the approved conditional use permit will be subject to the conditions in the staff report and any required follow‑up by city departments; the commission did not identify further public hearings on this item at the meeting.
