Politics & Government
Planning Commission Delays Zoning Change Hearing for Weho Churches and Temples
Ordinance is aimed at the Iranian American Jewish Temple, but would affect five other religious institutions with banquet facilities.
A hearing to change zoning ordinances regarding religious institutions with banquet facilities was delayed until August by the city’s Planning Commission at its Thursday night meeting.
The hearing, which had already been postponed from April, would affect six churches/synagogues/temples located in residential areas. Some of the churches had requested a continuance saying they needed more time to prepare.
The six churches/temples affected are St. Victor Catholic Church on Holloway, First Baptist Church of Beverly Hills on Cynthia Street, Crescent Heights United Methodist Church on Fairfax, St. Ambrose Catholic Church on Fairfax, the Iranian American Jewish Federation Temple on Crescent Heights and the Buddhist Temple (Nichiren Shoshu Myohoji Temple) on Crescent Heights.
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All of those churches predate cityhood and therefore were not required to have a conditional use permit (CUP). The city now wants some way to regulate them, especially their banquet facilities, which are used primarily for wedding receptions.
Commissioner John Altschul said that the proposed zoning change would affect six churches/temples when it was aimed directly at only one – the Iranian American Jewish Federation. The city has gotten complaints about the IAJF in the past. Their banquet facility can seat up to 400 people.
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Commissioner Lauren Meister said she did not feel comfortable with the ordinance change. She said it felt more like a reaction to a code compliance issue.
Commissioner Marc Yeber said the change was a “wide net that affects five other churches.”
Altschul noted the IAJF has an appeal before the City Council in July regarding a proposed parking structure adjacent to its building.
Commissioner Donald DeLuccio said he did not feel comfortable making this zoning decision with the appeal about to come before the City Council. The rest of the commission agreed unanimously and the hearing was postponed to August 18.
The commission also bid adieu to Commissioner Barbara Hamaker, who was appointed by City Councilman John Duran 10 years ago. Duran did not renew her appointment and instead appointed Roy Huebner, who will officially join the commission at its next meeting.
At that June 2 meeting, the Planning Commission will deal with several proposals to increase the number of billboards along the Sunset Strip.
