HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2025-19 - CUP 2022-23 - Ministerio Puerta del Cielo/ Amazing Church
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) NO.
2025-04 AMENDING CUP NO. 2022-23 TO EXPAND CHURCH OPERATIONS INTO
UNITS 8A AND 8B FOR THE MAIN SANCTUARY, REASSIGN UNITS 6A
THROUGH 6C FOR THE YOUTH CHURCH, DESIGNATE UNIT 5B FOR SPANISH
WORSHIP AND UNIT 7C FOR CHURCH OFFICES, AND VACATE UNIT 7B FOR
AN EXISTING CHURCH (MINISTERIO PUERTA DEL CIELO/AMAZING CHURCH
LOCATED AT 31712 CASINO DRIVE, UNITS 5C, 6A THROUGH 6C, 7C, AND 8A
THROUGH 8B (APN: 363-171-008)
Whereas, Sonia Welsh has filed an application with the City of Lake Elsinore, requesting
approval to modify an existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP-2022-23) to expand the existing
church operations into Units 8A and 8B which is a combined total of 7,644 square-foot and will
feature the main sanctuary with 264 fixed seats, four classrooms, and two offices. The existing
units part of the current church operations will be utilized for other related church services
including a youth church (Units 6A, 6B, and 6C), Spanish speaking mass (Unit 5B), and church
offices (Unit 7C). Unit 7B is proposed to be vacated as part of the CUP amendment request. Unit
7B will be vacated from the Conditional Use Permit;
Whereas, Section 6.0 of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan (MSHCP) requires that all discretionary projects within a MSHCP Criteria Cell
undergo the Lake Elsinore Acquisition Process (LEAP) and Joint Project Review (JPR) process
to analyze the scope of the proposed development and establish a building envelope that is
consistent with the MSHCP criteria;
Whereas, Section 6.0 of the MSHCP further requires that the City adopt consistency
findings demonstrating that the proposed discretionary entitlement complies with the MSHCP
Criteria Cell, and the MSHCP goals and objectives;
Whereas, pursuant to Chapter 17.415.070.F of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC)
provides that an application for modification, expansion or other change in a conditional use
permit shall be reviewed according to the provisions of this chapter in a similar manner as a new
application;
Whereas, pursuant to Chapter 17.415.070.B of the LEMC, the Planning Commission
(Commission) has been delegated with the responsibility of reviewing and approving, conditionally
approving, or denying Conditional Use Permits; and,
Whereas, on July 15, 2025, at a duly noticed Public Hearing, the Commission has
considered evidence presented by the Community Development Department and other interested
parties with respect to this item.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The Commission has considered the project and has found it acceptable.
Section 2: That in accordance with the MSHCP, the Commission makes the following
findings for MSHCP consistency:
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1. The project is not subject to the City’s LEAP and the Western Riverside County Regional
Conservation Authority’s (RCA) JPR processes as it is not located within a Criteria Cell.
2. The project site is developed with existing commercial uses. The project is proposing to
remodel the interior of an existing multi-tenant commercial building. As such, the
Riparian/Riverine Areas and Vernal Pool Guidelines as set forth in Section 6.1.2 of the
MSHCP are not applicable.
3. The project is consistent with the Protection of Narrow Endemic Plant Species Guidelines
as set forth in MSHCP Section 6.1.3 and the Additional Survey Needs and Procedures as
set forth in MSHCP Section 6.3.2 because the project is not located within any Narrow
Endemic Plant Species Survey Areas or Critical Species Survey Areas.
4. The project is consistent with the Fuels Management Guidelines because the project site is
not within or adjacent to any MSHCP Criteria Cell or conservation areas.
5. The project is exempt from MSHCP local development mitigation fees pursuant to LEMC
Section 16.85.090.B because the project involves remodeling to an existing development
project and will not result in additional usable square footage.
Section 3: The Commission has reviewed and analyzed the proposed project pursuant to
the California Planning and Zoning Laws (Cal. Gov. Code §§ 59000 et seq.), the Lake Elsinore
General Plan (GP), and the LEMC and finds and determines that the proposed project is
consistent with the requirements of California Planning and Zoning Law and with the goals and
policies of the GP and the LEMC.
Section 4: The Commission hereby finds and determines that the project is categorically
exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (Cal. Publ. Res. Code §§21000 et seq. “CEQA”)
and CEQA Guidelines (14. Cal. Code Regs. §§15000 et seq.), specifically pursuant to Section
15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities), because the project is confined to an existing commercial
building and proposed construction is limited to interior alterations not resulting in an expansion
of building floor area.
Section 5: That in accordance with California Planning and Zoning Law and the LEMC
Section 17.168.060 (Findings), the Commission makes the following findings regarding the
project:
1. That the proposed use, on its own merits and within the context of its setting, is in accord
with the objectives of the General Plan and the purpose of the planning district in which
the site is located.
The existing church is located in the General Commercial (GC) General Plan Land use
designation within the Lake Elsinore Hill District. The GC designation provides for a variety
of uses including retail and community services (such as churches). The church use was
previously analyzed and approved under CUP No. 2022-23. However, the proposed CUP
modification is to increase the main sanctuary area to accommodate the church’s growing
congregation. The expansion as well as reallocation of the church’s other services
continue to be consistent with the GC designation and overall goal and vision for the Lake
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Elsinore Hills District which is to create and maintain a network of balanced communities
to preserve and promote a high quality of life.
2. The proposed use will not be detrimental to the general health, safety, comfort or general
welfare of persons residing or working within the neighborhood of the proposed use or the
City, or injurious to property or improvements in the neighborhood or the City.
The proposed use is existing and operates within an existing building. The church has
operated at its current location since 2018 and to date, the City has not received
complaints regarding its operations. Staff does not anticipate the proposed expansion
would create detrimental effects to the surrounding community and existing businesses
within the same commercial center. Further, the project has been conditioned as such to
avoid any possible negative impacts including a condition related to parking.
3. The site for the intended use is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the use, and
for all the yards, setbacks, walls or fences, landscaping, buffers and other features
required by this title.
The proposed use is located within an existing building of a fully developed commercial
property with parking spaces, landscaping, and circulation improvements. The proposed
church expansion only involves interior tenant improvements and would not have any
changes to the site and building’s exterior.
4. The site for the proposed use relates to streets and highways with proper design both as
to width and type of pavement to carry the type and quantity of traffic generated by the
subject use.
The proposed use is located within an existing built environment, inclusive of streets. The
existing streets are of adequate size to facilitate safe and convenient transportation to
and from the site.
5. In approving the subject use at the specific location, there will be no adverse effect on
abutting properties or the permitted and normal use thereof.
The project is located within an existing commercial center that surrounds other
developed commercial centers. The church has been in operation since 2018 without any
adverse effect on the surrounding properties. As such, it is not anticipated that the
proposed church expansion would have adverse impacts on the surrounding properties
and their uses. In addition, the project has been thoroughly reviewed and conditioned by
all applicable City departments thereby further eliminating the potential for any adverse
effects.
6. Adequate conditions and safeguards pursuant to Section 17.168.050 of the LEMC,
including guarantees and evidence of compliance with conditions, have been
incorporated into the approval of the subject project to ensure development of the
property in accordance with the objectives of this chapter and the planning district in
which the site is located.
Pursuant to Section 17.168.040 of the LEMC, the project was considered by the
Commission at a duly noticed Public Hearing on July 15, 2025, appropriate and
applicable conditions of approval have been included to protect and promote the public
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health, safety, and general welfare. Compliance with said conditions would be reviewed
to during the plan check review and inspection processes.
Section 6: Based upon the evidence presented, the above findings, and the Conditions
of Approval imposed upon the project, the Commission hereby approves Conditional Use Permit
No. 2025-04.
Section 7: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Passed and Adopted on this 15th day of July, 2025.
John Gray
Chair
Attest:
___________________________________
Damaris Abraham
Community Development Director
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Damaris Abraham, Community Development Director of the City of Lake Elsinore, California,
hereby certify that Resolution No. 2025-19 was adopted by the Planning Commission of the City
of Lake Elsinore, California, at a regular meeting held July 15, 2025, and that the same was
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Devor, Pease and Peters; Vice Chair Carroll; and Chair Gray
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Damaris Abraham
Community Development Director
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