The Applicant, Whittier 78 LLC, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to establish and operate a personal training facility (My Trainer Fitness Gym) at 2661 West Whittier Boulevard, Suite B. The subject property is a 0.43 acre site developed with a 7,680 square foot two-story commercial building divided into eight tenant spaces (property is highlighted in pink in Exhibit 1). The proposed personal training facility will occupy a 1,200 square foot tenant space in the building (Suite B). The other building tenants include Soloway Chiropractic (Suite A), Golden Island Spa (Suite C), SewCrazed Quilting (Suite D), Farmers Insurance Ron Thomson Agency (Suites E & F), and JNR Incorporated (Suite G). Suite H is currently vacant. The property is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of West Whittier Boulevard and Valley Home Avenue. To the north of the property, are multifamily and single-family residential; to the east is another commercial property (Mullen Auto Sales); to the south, across West Whittier Boulevard, is a commercial property occupied by Daniel's Tire Service; and to the west, across Valley Home Avenue, is another commercial center and single-family residential. The General Plan designates the subject property for Commercial Highway land use, and it is located in the C-2 (Commercial) Zone, which implements the General Plan Commercial Highway land-use designation.

EXHIBIT 1


My Trainer Fitness Gym provides one-on-one personal training and coaching to clients. Training sessions are held by appointment only and depend on the client's schedule. Sessions generally last an hour. The business currently has one trainer, as a result, they would only have two individuals in the facility at a time. However, the business anticipates the addition of one to two additional trainers; at a maximum there would be eight individuals occupying the facility.

The hours of operation are proposed as follows:
The majority of training sessions will occur in the early morning and evening hours. The floor plan for the 1,200 square foot facility is shown below as Exhibit 2. The majority of the space is reserved for the cardio and weight machines, which will be used during training sessions. In the rear of the suite there is a small storage room, an office, and a restroom. The applicant is not proposing any interior tenant improvements, which would require a building permit. No additional square footage is being added. With the incorporation and implementation of the conditions of approval included within the draft resolution (Attachment 2), staff believes that the proposed use will be harmonious with the surrounding uses.

EXHIBIT 2


ANALYSIS
Pursuant to La Habra Municipal Code (LHMC) Section 18.06.040.A, approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required for the establishment of commercial schools. In order to grant the CUP for this request, the Planning Commission must make the findings below. Following each finding, staff has provided justification to make said finding.

1. The granting of the Conditional Use Permit will not be detrimental to the public welfare and will not unreasonably interfere with the use, possession and enjoyment of surrounding and adjacent properties and will not impair the character of the zone in which it is to be located.

This resolution to approve CUP 22-16 includes conditions of approval to ensure that the proposed personal training facility will not be detrimental to the public welfare and will not unreasonably interfere with the use, possession, and enjoyment of surrounding and adjacent properties. In this case, a condition was added to limit the hours of operation to ensure compatibility with the existing nearby residences. Through compliance with the conditions of approval, the operation of the personal training facility will not impair the character of the C-2 (Commercial) Zone.

2. The subject site is physically suitable for the type of land use being proposed.

The subject 1,200 square-foot tenant space is part of an established commercial center. The proposed plans for the personal training facility show that the existing tenant space is of adequate size, shape, and topography to accommodate the personal training facility. The proposed land use type best aligns with the commercial school category. Using the commercial school parking requirements (0.35 spaces per student, per session), the facility would require three parking spaces at maximum occupancy. The tenant suite was previously occupied by a hair salon which has a higher parking requirement of five spaces. The day-to-day operation of the personal training facility requires fewer parking spaces than the previous use. Therefore, the subject site is physically suitable to handle the addition of the personal training facility.

3. The use is conditionally permitted within the subject zone and complies with the intent of all applicable provisions.

The subject site is located in the C-2 (Commercial) Zone, which conditionally allows for the operation of a personal training facility, which is viewed as being the same as a commercial school. With the incorporation and implementation of the conditions of approval, the use will be harmonious with the surrounding land uses and comply with the intent of all applicable provisions of Title 18 of the La Habra Municipal Code.

4. The granting of the Conditional Use Permit is consistent with the General Plan.

Granting CUP 22-16 to allow for the operation of a personal fitness facility will be consistent with La Habra's General Plan Policy LU 11.1 which encourages “the development of a broad range of uses in La Habra’s commercial centers and corridors that reduce the need to travel to adjoining communities, and capture a greater share of local spending.” The subject property is situated on West Whittier Boulevard where there are currently no other personal training facilities. By adding a personal training facility at this site, My Trainer Fitness Gym adds a fitness option to the range of surrounding uses. Granting CUP 22-16 is also consistent with General Plan Policy LU 3.2 which promotes “uses that meet daily needs... within walking distance of residences.” The subject property is conveniently located adjacent to existing multifamily and single-family dwelling units to the north. The addition of a personal training facility to the commercial center expands the fitness opportunities available within walking distance to the adjacent residences as well as the greater La Habra area.

Related Cases

• On May 4, 1979, the City issued building permits for the construction of a 7,680 square foot commercial building at 2661 West Whittier Boulevard.
• On September 9, 1996, the Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit 96-02 to establish a tea house at 2661 West Whittier Boulevard, Suite D.

The Applicant has paid for the processing costs associated with the Conditional Use Permit, which total $6,252.00.

The Applicant's proposal has been reviewed pursuant to the requirements of the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Permit, the Local Implementation Plan (LIP), and the Model Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP), Section 7.2. Since no disturbance of soil will occur, the project is exempted by the Water Quality Ordinance from the preparation of a WQMP.

The proposed project is related to the following General Plan policies:

• LU 3.2: Uses to Meet Daily Needs. Encourage uses that meet daily needs such as grocery stores, local-serving restaurants, and other businesses and activities within walking distance of residences to reduce the frequency and length of vehicle trips.
• LU 11.1 Diversity of Uses. Provide for and encourage the development of a broad range of uses in La Habra's commercial centers and corridors that reduce the need to travel to adjoining communities, and capture a greater share of local spending.

The proposed project is related to the following City Council Goal and Objective:

• Goal 5 - Development Activity and Business Assistance
  • Objective D: Continue to improve the City's business retention and expansion program.