PL PACKET SPECIAL MEETING 06042012

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May 29, 2012 Page 2 CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 1. Background. Muxamedrashid Ali on behalf of the Abu - Huraira Islamic Center is requesting a conditional use permit to allow an `assembly' at 3055 Old Highway 8. The Applicant's representative (Michael Medina) has stated that the `assembly' would occupy the lower level of the south building. There is also a space on the main floor of the building that will act as the `receiving room' for the center. The Islamic Center would host a daily prayer hour and special prayer and potluck dining events during Ramadan. According to information provided by the Applicant, the lower level of the south building comprises approximately 13,280 square feet, with approximately 1,625 square feet leased to a tenant. This leaves approximately 11,655 square feet for assembly use in the lower level. The space identified for assembly is 12,940 square feet (11,655 in lower level and 1,286 on the main level). The entire building is approximately 103,460 square feet. The rest of the building (the three story office tower and the first level of the south building) less the receiving room would remain as office /tenant space. The underlying zoning district is LI — Light Industrial which does not include assemblies as a permitted use. However, as noted in Title XV, Chapter 152, Section 152.142, (G) Assembly, meeting lodge or convention halls are considered a `permitted conditional use'. The Zoning Code does not define assembly, meeting lodge or convention hall. However, an interpretation of the term `assembly' would allow for religious uses. 2. Overview. Location The assembly is proposed to be located in the basement of an existing building. No exterior expansions or modifications to the building are proposed with the application. The interior will be modified to meet current building codes. The proposed assembly is located in the basement of the southern building. The main floor of the southern building would remain as office /tenant space. The entire north building would remain as office /tenant space. Hours of Operation The proposed hours of operation for the `assembly' area include the following: • Daily prayer from 1:00 to 2:00 PM • Evening worship and food sharing during Ramadan Staffing The Abu - Huraira Islamic Center will be staffed by four people. Parking and Traffic Title XV, Chapter 152, Section 152.179 (A) On -Site Parking (5) Minimum number of spaces indicates that churches, clubs and restaurants must have a number of parking spaces which is no less than the total designed seating capacity of the structure divided by 2.5, plus 1 parking space for each employee on the largest shift. At the May 15, 2012 Planning Commission Meeting, staff presented information about the amount of parking needed for the conditional use for the prayer areas since that had more restrictive parking requirements (as sited above) than the general parking requirements for light industrial uses. As indicated by the applicant, the prayer areas (men's and women's) combined can accommodate a total of 261 persons. Taking 261 and dividing it by 2.5 results in a demand of 105 parking spaces. Adding staff (four persons) parking requirements brings the total number of spaces needed for the conditional use to 109 spaces.