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Planning Commission approves use permit for Scholar Athlete Black Belt Center at Placentia Plaza
Summary
The commission approved Use Permit 202501 allowing Scholar Athlete Black Belt Center to operate a 1,400 sq ft martial-arts studio at 628 W. Chapman Ave.; staff found parking sufficient (268 spaces in the center) and recommended approval under a CEQA Class 1 exemption.
The Placentia Planning Commission on a unanimous recorded vote approved Use Permit 202501 to allow Scholar Athlete Black Belt Center to operate a martial-arts instruction studio at 628 West Chapman Avenue in the Placentia Plaza Shopping Center.
Sen Leonige, the planning technician who presented the application, told the commission that the tenant space is about 1,400 square feet, will not undergo structural changes and will be equipped with practice mats and mirrors. He said the applicant expects about "6 to 13 students in the training sessions" and that the shopping center currently provides 268 parking spaces, more than the 243 spaces the center’s gross floor area would require and the six spaces the tenant itself would need. Leonige recommended adoption of resolution PC 2025-6 and said the project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, citing the Class 1 existing-facilities exemption.
Applicant Taejin Lee said the new location will follow the same program as his existing school, teach under an international federation system and focus on discipline and respect. "I'm teaching for international WTF, World Technology Federation," Lee said, describing the instructional approach and adding he would comply with the conditions of approval.
Commissioners asked staff to confirm the prior location and whether setup work had already begun; staff said the tenants were allowed to move in equipment but not to commence business operations, and that no open code violations exist for the property. With no public speakers, Commissioner Smith moved to approve staff's recommendation and the commission recorded four yes votes with Commissioners Evans and Ingalls absent and Vice Chair Rock absent.
The permit allows the business to operate within the C‑1 Neighborhood Commercial zoning district; staff will forward the resolution and associated conditions to the City Council as part of the formal entitlement process.
