This must have been before they used the name 'Narconon' to sell the rehab?

From: Reposter
Subject: Vacaville Jan. 7, 1986 Planning Commission Minutes

http://www.cityofvacaville.com/_codes/ArchivedMinutes/Year_1986/01/07PC.html

Day 1986.01.07PC

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Planning Commission - Regular Meeting City of Vacaville 7:30 p.m. - City Council Chambers January 7, 1986

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6. CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY - Church of Scientology, applicant a. Conditional Use Permit (CUP-1-86)

Pertains to a request to establish a church in approximately 5,230 square feet at the Buck-Eldridge Professional Center at 400 Buck Avenue. The church functions would include counseling and drug rehabilitation services.

Commissioner Gjervold declared a conflict of interest and stepped down.

Assistant Planner Buderi reviewed the proposal and introduced the staff report dated January 7, 1986 into the record, noting that the church facility would be located in two existing office buildings at the Buck-Eldridge Professional Center. The operation would include counseling and classes on communication work and study skills. A drug rehabilitation program involving vitamins, exercise and use of a sauna was proposed. Staff recommended approval of the project with conditions as recommended in staff report.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Peggy Shaw Executive Director, stated that their organization was not a church in the normal sense, they work with all religions. She said that they did not hold religious services with a large group in attendance at a set time each week, instead, their offices are open regular hours every day for counseling and courses, so that parking should not be a problem. She said there was no need for concern about the drug rehabilitation program, because they didn't take addict or transients. She said it was a maintenance program and that they work with people in the community, doctors, lawyers, etc. She said that they would have 25 full time employees.

Terry Woodworth, partner/owner of the complex, said that parking would not be a problem, as not all of the staff will be there at one time. He said that they would do the parking and landscape work required to comply with the variance.

Earl Von Kaenel, 120 Doris Court, said that a church with no religious services, and a drug rehabilitation program with no drug addicts is a "double speak". He felt the use was not compatible with doctors and dentists offices, or next to the proposed Senior Citizens housing project.

Tom Thurmon, 310 Camillia Way, said that this complex was approved and built for offices, not "church" use. He was concerned that the parking problem, and drug addicts. He recommended denial.

Dr. Osborne, office in this complex, concerned about parking, drug rehabilitation, and asked why they were relocating here from Davis.

Frederick Hoff, 140 Lorraine Court, said that this is an undesirable element to put in our neighborhood. Residents have been established here for 20 - 30 years, and should have some rights. The City should avoid indiscriminate placing of such institutions - it is of no benefit to neighborhood residents and should be in a commercial or professional area. He asked if the physicians running the drug program were licensed.

Christiane Monroe, 219 Fern Way, requested that the Commission to deny this request. She gave an account of her son's experience being involved in Scientology.

Don Monroe, 219 Fern Way, supported his wife's testimony. He added that contributions to this organization are not deductible by the IRS - he said that it was not a church, but a business. He asked that the request be denied.

Elaine Dennis, 320 Camillia Way, said she had shared Mrs. Monroe's concerns. She said it was a family oriented neighborhood.

John Crawford, Orthodontist, said that he would be located in the same building as this group. The parking lot is filled on the days that he is there. He was concerned about drug addicts and the detox center. He said that most of his patients are under 12, and walk to my office. He said, as a parent, he wondered if people would allow their kids to walk to his office in the same building. He said the use would definitely affect his business. He urged the Commission to deny this request.

Dick Forsythe, representing IPRC, said that they own the apartment complex adjacent to this center and that they do have a parking problem and have had cars towed away and ticked for parking in our area. He said that parents of young children and elderly ladies living alone are very concerned. He urged the Commission to disapprove this request.

Christy Losh, Director of the Church of Scientology in Northern California, said that they have a religious belief which was discussed in our dianetics book. She said that most of the people in their church have college degrees and that they have a facility in Los Angeles with physicians and a drug center.

Mr. Saylin, resident of Lovers Lane, was concerned about the impact on the community. He said the people who live here, and will continue to live here, did not want this impact.

Milton Steck, noted discrepancies in the statements of the two ladies representing the Scientology Church. He also noted that there were already 12 churches, with counseling centers, in the area. He felt the location was a poor choice, with a convalescent home and planned homes for the elderly in the area.

Marilyn Lewis, resident of Lovers Lane, asked whether the Church would have a drug rehabilitation center or not, and what kind of degrees the people had that teach their courses? She asked why the Church wanted to leave the Jobrani Building downtown, there was lots of room there.

John Moriel, 395 Buck Avenue, said that the center was built for professional offices only. He lived right across the street and did not want the church there. He said that the parking lot was usually filled now, and that he would appreciate denial.

Delores Skinner, 373 Neil Street, said that the applicants came to the Planning Commission asking for a variance under the guise of a church, now it is the counseling center/clinic. She felt that there were too many grey areas and asked that the Commission deny the request.

The public hearing was closed.

COMMISSION COMMENTS:

It was the consensus of the Commission that as a conditional use, the Commission must consider the impacts on the surrounding area and the other tenants as well as the neighborhood. They felt that the church was not a compatible use. They also agreed that this would be a high parking use and that it would negatively impact on the other tenants. They felt the use would be better suited to a commercial area.

COMMISSION ACTION:

Commissioner Brewer moved, Rasmussen seconded, to deny approval of the conditional use permit (CUP-1-86) for the reasons stated above. The motion was approved 5-0-1 (Abstaining: Gjervold)

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Feisty