Item 25 - Public Hearing - Zoning Ordinance - Bella Terra Residential Community and Temple Project

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ZOA No. 2026-02, CUP No. 2026-03, and TTM No. 2026-01 — Bella Terra Residential Community and Temple at 4006, 4010, and 4018 West Hazard Avenue April 21, 2026 Page 6 the adjoining private street. The temple will include a main worship hall, an upper-level private altar (not open to the public), and a covered perimeter walkway. The architectural design draws inspiration from traditional Cao Dai temple forms that blend Eastern and Western religious influences, incorporating Gothic-inspired towers and nave-like proportions alongside Asian pagoda elements. Exterior materials include clay roof tiles, stucco walls, decorative exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) panels, and ornamental moldings accented with stone and concrete finishes. Distinctive features include twin front towers, pointed upturned rooflines clad in red shingles, exterior columns, and freestanding decorative entry gates approximately 18 feet in height. The structure will reach a maximum height of approximately 35 feet at its highest architectural element. The temple will accommodate religious worship, spiritual practice, and small-scale community gatherings for educational and cultural activities. Operations will occur at low- to-moderate intensity, primarily during daytime and early afternoon hours. On-site caretakers (maximum of two) will oversee activities Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with Sunday services from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for up to 16 attendees, plus four annual special events (February and September: approximately 30 participants each; August and November: approximately 60 participants each). Open Space and Landscaping The Project provides 55,566 square feet of open space (approximately 69% of the total net buildable site area). Approximately 2,000 square feet of common open space is provided at the cul-de-sac terminus, accessed via the private street sidewalk and featuring a decorative trellis, bench, and barbecue grill as amenities. As part of the Project, six existing ornamental trees will be removed and 40 new 24-inch box trees will be planted, distributed around the Project site. Landscape materials feature a hierarchy of trees, shrubs, and groundcover throughout the site, as shown in the Conceptual Landscape Plan (Exhibit 7). Yoshino cherry and evergreen Japanese black pine trees will be planted along Hazard Avenue and around the temple; on the east side of the private street, drought-tolerant shade-producing trees will be in the parkway fronting residences and a Honey locust in the common open space. Yoshino cherry trees will also be planted on the west side of the street in landscape islands between parallel parking space groupings with continuous star jasmine vine pockets screening the exposed block wall next to the parallel spaces and the temple's proposed trash enclosure located off the private street. Conditions of approval will require the applicant to work with staff to review and select alternative shade-producing, drought-tolerant tree species to improve the project's landscaping.