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ARCHANGEL MICHAEL COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH <br />COMMUNITY SERVICE BUILDING PROJECT <br />4405 W EDINGER AVE, SANTA ANA, CA 92704 <br /> <br /> 4 <br />45848142;1 <br /> <br />Based on the Applicant’s proposed improvements and operations, the Applicant has requested <br />a Development Project Plan Approval to allow the construction of the Community Service <br />Building, additional parking area, and landscape improvements. SAMC § 41-668 through 41- <br />674. In addition, the Applicant is seeking a Conditional Use Permit to allow: (i) construction of <br />the Community Service Building as a second main structure on the Project Site (ii) construction <br />of additional parking areas, (iii) and expansion of the Church’s sanctuary seating area by <br />opening the Church’s existing mezzanine. SAMC §§ 41.232.5 and 41-632. A Minor Exception is <br />required for the central archway portion of the roof to ensure that sufficient head-room, in <br />compliance with the Building Code, is provided at the arch springline on the interior of the <br />Community Service Building. The Code permits Minor Exception Modifications so long as the <br />height is not exceeded by more than twenty-five (25) percent of the maximum height <br />permitted. The request is for a modest 20-percent (5-½ foot) increase in height to allow the <br />central archway portion of the Community Service Building’s roof to extend up to 32 feet and 6 <br />inches. SAMC §§ 41.632.(a)(3)(d). Finally, at the City’s request, the Applicant will seek a <br />Voluntary Parcel Merger to create a single development site, as the Project Site includes <br />multiple legal parcels. SAMC § 34-366 through 34-371. <br /> <br />Operations <br />The Site will continue to be primarily used for religious worship in accordance with the Coptic <br />Orthodox faith traditions. At present, the sanctuary contains seating for 324 (including 2 <br />accessible wheelchair areas), including a cry room for parishioners to temporarily occupy during <br />services. When the mezzanine is opened, additional pew seating and 6 accessible seating areas <br />for approximately 110 parishioners will become available during religious services. The existing <br />baptistry adjacent to the sanctuary will remain as ancillary to the sanctuary, and is not used at <br />the same time regular divine liturgy services are taking place in accordance with Coptic faith <br />traditions. In addition, the existing meeting rooms and offices on the first floor and the existing <br />meeting/reading room and short-stay guest quarters on the second floor will remain as <br />ancillary uses to the Church’s religious worship and operations in compliance with original <br />approvals and building permits. As noted above, with the exception of the restrooms, the <br />basement uses will be discontinued and relocated to the new Community Service Building, and <br />the basement will be used for ancillary storage for items such as holiday decorations and <br />maintenance supplies. <br /> <br />In general, the Church has approximately 8 liturgies during a typical week that are 2 to 2-½ <br />hours in length that take place in the Church between the hours of 5:00 AM and 12:00 PM <br />throughout the course of the week. Of the 8 liturgies that take place during the week, the two <br />primary and most attended liturgies take place on Sunday from 6:30 AM to 9 AM and at 9:30 AM <br />to 12:00 PM. During liturgies, in accordance with Coptic Orthodox faith traditions, all <br />parishioners are in the sanctuary and no Sunday school or separate youth liturgies take place. <br /> <br />4-38