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CityLight Bible Church proposes to lease large space in Patrick Henry area; planners say CUP required
Summary
CityLight Bible Church presented plans to lease and adapt roughly 50,000 sq ft of an existing 80,000 sq ft building in the Patrick Henry specific plan area; planning staff said places of assembly are allowed there via a conditional use permit. Neighbors and a council member pressed presenters on parking and compatibility with the redevelopment vision.
CityLight Bible Church is proposing to lease and adapt part of an existing building in the Patrick Henry specific plan area of Santa Clara, the church's pastor and the project's architect told city planning staff and residents.
"My name is Chris, and I am the pastor of CityLight Bible Church," Pastor Chris said in opening remarks, describing a four-year-old congregation that conducts Sunday services, outreach (including a food pantry) and community events. Architect Alex Ross said the project would convert roughly 50,000 square feet to church uses within an 80,000-square-foot building, leaving about 30,000 square feet for office use. Ross said the proposal includes interior reconfiguration for a sanctuary, Sunday school classrooms, limited exterior door additions for emergency egress, and a new trash enclosure to meet city requirements.
Planning staff told attendees the site is zoned Urban Village under the Patrick Henry specific plan and that places of assembly are allowed by way of a conditional use permit (CUP). Presenters said contact information for follow-up (Rick Maples for the church; Tracy Tam at the city) will be posted with the presentation recording. Neighbors raised questions about parking availability and long-term lease stability if property ownership changes; presenters said the church currently meets at Mission College, averages about 400 attendees now, and has an informal agreement with a neighboring tenant for additional Sunday parking.
