Item 18 - Appeal Application of Conditional Use Permit to Allow the Expansion of a Private School

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Appeal Application No. 2025-02 – Forty Martyrs Armenian Church Middle School (5311 W. McFadden Avenue) February 3, 2026 Page 5 5 4 9 2 The Forty Martyrs Armenian Church Middle School requested a modification to its existing CUP to expand its elementary program (pre-kindergarten through sixth grade) by adding seventh and eighth grades. While the original CUP No. 1982-18 approved educational use up to ninth grade, the existing 17,500-square-foot school building was designed for, and has historically served, only elementary grades. The new building is necessary to accommodate the middle school curriculum. The Project is not intended to substantially increase enrollment. The new facility is designed for a maximum of 32 additional students, with total enrollment expected to grow gradually from approximately 180 to 195 students, primarily by retaining students who would otherwise leave after sixth grade. This modest growth aligns with the existing campus’s capacity and is not anticipated to result in new significant impacts related to noise, traffic, or parking. The Project complies with applicable development standards, including building height and setbacks. Although the SAMC typically requires 110 parking spaces for the combined school and church uses, the site provides 88 spaces. This is permissible pursuant to AB 2097, a state law which prohibits local government agencies from requiring parking minimums for qualifying sites within one-half mile of major transit stops. Nevertheless, a parking demand analysis that was completed for the project confirmed that the 88 on-site spaces adequately meet operational needs, and the site’s access configuration limits spillover parking into adjacent residential areas. Student Enrollment and Operations The expansion supports continuity for families by allowing students to remain at the school through eighth grade. The school’s staggered recess schedule, with breaks at 10:00–10:20 a.m., 12:00–12:45 p.m., and 12:45–1:30 p.m., will remain in place to limit the number of students outdoors at one time and minimize potential noise impacts. Students in grades five through eight will continue to attend weekly religion classes in the on-site church during regular school hours. These classes will not conflict with church services or create additional operational impacts. Moreover, the school year will continue to operate on the current academic calendar (August through June) with limited summer programming. No new evening or weekend activities are proposed beyond those already in place, ensuring that the expanded program remains consistent with existing operations. Noise and Lighting The Project will not create significant noise or lighting impacts. Outdoor play areas will remain as they are, and no new outdoor facilities are proposed. Staggered recess periods will continue to minimize outdoor activity at any one time. No amplified outdoor sound