Commission approves place-of-worship at Highland Square with conditions limiting footprint; concerns over parking persist

The San Bernardino Planning Commission voted 6–2 to approve Conditional Use Permit 24-22 to establish a public place of assembly—a religious facility—at 3606 East Highland Avenue in the Highland Square Commercial Center.

Planning staff said the project would occupy an existing roughly 2,600-square-foot suite, that the property lies in the Commercial General 1 (CG-1) zone, and that the proposal is categorically exempt from CEQA under section 15301 for existing facilities. Staff presented a revised resolution that added conditions (numbered 2 and 10 in the file) designed to limit the approved use to the plans submitted; staff told commissioners that any expansion beyond the approved footprint would require a return to the Commission.

Applicant Ali Chunky told commissioners the congregation’s main weekly service is a half-hour Friday service (approximately 1:30–2:00 p.m.) and estimated maximum parking demand at between 20 and 25 spaces due to family carpooling; he said other daily prayers are typically attended by only a few people. Staff said the principal sanctuary area is approximately 1,000 square feet, which drives the code-based parking calculation; the center has 43 spaces and staff indicated that parking standards for the sanctuary are therefore met according to the code’s quantification method.

Commissioners questioned hours of operation, tenant and property-owner noticing procedures, and maximum building occupancy (staff provided an approximate occupancy load of up to 300 people as a building and safety estimate but stressed the CUP’s parking analysis is centered on sanctuary area). Vice Chair Quill and Commissioner Carloni recorded No votes during the final roll call; the motion nevertheless carried 6–2.

The approval is subject to the revised conditions in the staff resolution, including a restriction that the approved use be limited to the submitted plans; the commission noted it could revoke the CUP if the applicant operates outside the approved footprint.