The purpose of this article is to regulate and provide development
standards for churches and other places of religious assembly to ensure
land use compatibility with adjacent land uses. The proximity of residential
uses to this type of assembly use is a concern of this article. Where
the distance criterion of 200 feet from residentially-zoned property
is given in this article, it shall be measured from the property line
of the site to the property line of the nearest residentially-zoned
property.
(Ord. No. 06-18, § 1c., 9-5-06)
Churches and other places of religious assembly are subject
to the review and approval procedures shown in Table 13-30 City of
Costa Mesa Land Use Matrix and the applicable development standards
contained in this article. Other land uses such as, but not limited
to, day care facilities, nursery schools, schools, primary and incidental
retail sales, such as a bookstore, and services to businesses, that
are not the primary function of a church or other place of religious
assembly, shall be subject to the review and approval procedures shown
in Table 13-30 City of Costa Mesa Land Use Matrix for that specific
land use.
(Ord. No. 06-18, § 1c., 9-5-06)
Churches and other places of religious assembly are subject
to the following development standards.
(a) Outdoor activity areas are permitted provided that that area does
not encroach into required street setback, parking and circulation,
or interior landscaped areas; except as approved through the issuance
of a minor conditional use permit.
(b) Accessory facilities in the same or separate building are permitted,
including classrooms, assembly rooms, restrooms, kitchen, and a library.
(c) All churches and other places of religious assembly shall comply
with the review procedures indicated in Table 13-30, as well as with
all other applicable development standards of this title.
(Ord. No. 06-18, § 1c., 9-5-06)
In addition to the general development standards required under
section 13-51.52, churches and other places of religious assembly
that are within 200 feet of residentially-zoned property shall comply
with the following development standards, unless the standards are
modified through the issuance of a conditional use permit.
(a) All exterior lighting shall be shielded and/or directed away from
residential areas.
(b) Outdoor public communication systems shall not be audible in adjacent
residential areas.
(c) Trash facilities shall be screened from view and designed and located
appropriately to minimize potential noise and odor impacts to adjacent
residential areas.
(d) Outdoor activity areas shall be oriented away or sufficiently buffered
from adjacent residential areas to prevent disturbance of the peaceful
use of such areas by residents.
(e) For new construction, a landscaped planter area, a minimum of five
feet in width, shall be provided as an additional buffer to adjacent
residential areas. The planter area shall contain appropriate plant
materials to provide an immediate and effective screen. Plant materials
shall meet with the approval of the planning division. For interior
alterations, the planning division may also require the construction
of a landscaped planter area to buffer adjacent residential areas,
if feasible.
(f) For new construction, all interior property lines abutting residentially-zoned
property shall have a minimum six-foot high masonry wall, as measured
from the highest grade. An eight-foot high masonry wall may be required,
based on the church's/place's of religious assembly operational characteristics,
in order to provide additional protection to adjacent residential
uses. A planning application may be required for walls exceeding six
feet in height. For interior alterations, the planning division may
also require the construction of a masonry wall to buffer adjacent
residential areas, if feasible.
(g) Hours of operation for religious services shall not occur any time
between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(h) Truck deliveries shall not occur anytime between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00
a.m.
(Ord. No. 06-18, § 1c., 9-5-06)