DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEM:
Public Hearing followed by discussion and possible action on any all matters regarding Conditional Use Permit Case No. 2023-0387 - Iglesia de Cristo.  A request by Rivera Studio, Inc., on behalf of Iglesia De Cristo, for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the expansion of a religious institution established at 1050 E. Arizona Street in San Luis, Arizona.  (Jose A. Guzman, Director of Planning & Zoning) 

A. Open Public Hearing
     1. Presentation by staff and/or applicant
     2. Call to the public on this item
B. Close Public Hearing
C. Action on Conditional Use Permit Case No. 2023-0387

The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow the expansion of Iglesia De Cristo, a religious institution, to add a new building on the property located at 1050 E. Arizona Street.  The property is zoned as Medium-High Density Residential (R-2), and has a Conditional Use Permit for the existing building which was approved by City Council on April 26, 2017.

As per City Zoning Ordinance Section 18.15.040 (G) (4) Amendments to conditional use permits shall be processed in the same manner as the original permit, except that minor amendments may be authorized by the Zoning Administrator.

The existing building is about 1,040 square feet and the plan is to add a 1,740 square feet building as a main assembly without fixed seating.  Iglesia De Cristo plans to use the new building to congregate for religious services twice a week.

As per Zoning Ordinance Section 18.75.040 Table No.15 the requirement for parking spaces is 1 per every 300 square feet of gross floor area.  A total of 9 parking spaces would be required for the proposed and existing buildings.  The applicant states that only the main assembly would be in need of parking spaces since the existing building would be a multipurpose room for children.  A total of 6 parking spaces are proposed on the current design.  If a Conditional Use Permit is approved, the applicant would have to comply with the required parking spaces or a variance would be required. 

The adjacent properties to the north and west are developed as residential and are zoned as Medium-High Density Residential (R-2).  On the east there is a retention basin which is also zoned as R-2.  The property located to the south is zoned Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) and is undeveloped land owned by the State of Arizona.

CITIZEN REVIEW MEETING:
The Citizen Review Meeting was held on August 31st, 2023 at City Hall Council Chambers at 5:00 p.m.  The intent of this meeting was to allow the public to learn about the project, ask questions, and express any comments.  There were no people from the public present.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING:
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing for this item at their regular meeting on September 12, 2023, at the Council Chambers of the City of San Luis.  The commission agrees with the recommendation of staff and forwards this case to the City Council with the recommendation of approval with conditions.

GENERAL PLAN:
This area is designated as an Activity Center in the City of San Luis 2040 General Plan.  The Activity Center Land Use designation includes residential development of higher densities, regional and community scale commercial development, community services, and professional offices and services.  The property is zoned as R-2 (Medium-High Density Residential) which is one of the appropriate zoning districts in the "Neighborhood" category. 

AGENCY REVIEW:
As part of the review process, all land use cases are reviewed by various city and outside agencies.

As required by the State Statute, staff sent notification letters to property owners within 300 feet of the proposed project (27 letters).  The city has not received any other significant concerns or objections from the various review agencies or adjacent property owners.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The applicant has provided the information and materials necessary for the review of the Conditional Use Permit. 

The Conditional Use Permit is only for the expansion of the use, however, the expansion will have to comply with the current zoning regulations including the parking requirements. Staff recommends approval of Conditional Use Permit Case No. 2023-0387 with the condition that the owner complies with applicable zoning regulations.