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Appeal Application No. 2025-02 — Forty Martyrs Armenian Church Middle School (5311 <br /> W. McFadden Avenue) <br /> February 3, 2026 <br /> Page 4 <br /> At the time of construction, the private school facility was designed to accommodate <br /> elementary students, serving pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. While CUP No. 1982- <br /> 18 allowed the private school use extending through ninth grade, the 17,500-square-foot <br /> building did not provide the necessary floor area or capacity to serve students above the <br /> sixth grade. Furthermore, the school's operational program and curriculum were limited <br /> to elementary education, and no middle school grades were implemented under the <br /> existing CUP. Since its original construction, the City has not received a significant <br /> amount of complaints regarding noise, circulation, parking, lighting, or other quality-of-life <br /> impacts from residents or owners of the surrounding properties. <br /> Analysis of Appeal <br /> Pursuant to Section 41-645 of the SAMC, an appeal from a decision of the Planning <br /> Commission can be made by an interested party, individual, or group. An appeal <br /> application was received appealing the Planning Commission's decision to approve CUP <br /> No. 1982-18-MOD-1. <br /> The appellant is requesting the following actions: <br /> 1. Vacate the Planning Commission's approval of CUP No. 1982-18-MOD-1; <br /> 2. Remand consideration of CUP No. 1982-18-MOD-1 back to the Planning <br /> Commission; <br /> 3. Conduct at minimum an Initial Study as part of the CEQA analysis that accompanies <br /> re-consideration of CUP No. 1982-18-MOD-1 by the Planning Commission; and <br /> 4. Demonstrate that the project is compatible with neighborhood context, and if it <br /> cannot demonstrate compatibility, deny the project. <br /> The Planning Commission agenda packet prepared for the Project contained all <br /> necessary information for the Planning Commission to evaluate the applicant's request <br /> and is provided as Exhibit 3 to this report. A copy of the submitted appeal application is <br /> provided as Exhibit 1, and a detailed analysis of and response to the eight claims made <br /> in Appeal Application No. 2025-02 is provided as Exhibit 6. <br /> Planning Commission Determination Supporting Approval <br /> CUP requests are governed by Section 41-638 of the SAMC, and modifications to existing <br /> CUPs require a new application under Section 41-649. A CUP may be granted if it can <br /> be demonstrated that the proposed project will not adversely impact the community or <br /> conflict with the General Plan. The requisite findings of fact are detailed in the Planning <br /> Commission Staff Report — October 27, 2025 (Exhibit 3) attached to this report, and <br /> additional analysis supporting these findings is provided in the sections below. <br /> City Council 18 — 4 2/3/2026 <br />