TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: February 17, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FILE #25-C08, REVIEW OF A REQUEST TO PERMIT A CHANGE OF USE OF AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE TO A RELIGIOUS FACILITY LOCATED AT 145 WEST SEVENTH STREET- APPLICANT - THE TUCKER SCHOEMAN VENTURE
Body
SUMMARY
The applicant, The Tucker Schoeman Venture, is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to permit a change of use of the existing 1,767 square foot residential building located at 145 West Seventh Street in the Historic Claremont (HC 7,500) zoning district. The property is listed on the Register of Structures of Historic or Architectural Merit in Claremont (Claremont Register) and contains two main residential buildings on-site. Specifically, the proposal requests a change of use, converting the residence fronting West Seventh Street from a residential use to a religious facility. No exterior alterations or interior tenant improvements are proposed as part of this request.
The facility will operate as a religious student center providing space for social interaction, peer support, and spiritual development for students, faculty, and staff of the Claremont Colleges. The use will be operated by Claremont Hillel, a nonprofit organization that has served the Claremont community since 1973. Proposed hours of operation are Sunday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with access primarily on a walk-in basis due to the site’s proximity to the Claremont Colleges.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Planning Commission:
A. Adopt a RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (FILE #25-C08), TO PERMIT A CHANGE OF USE OF AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE TO A RELIGIOUS FACILITY LOCATED AT 145 WEST SEVENTH STREET - APPLICANT - THE TUCKER SCHOEMAN VENTURE; and
B. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Body
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Continue the item for additional information.
B. Approve the project with additional or revised Conditions of Approval.
C. Express an intent to deny CUP #25-C08 in its entirety, specifically identifying the findings of Section 16.303.040 of the CMC that cannot be met, and continue the item to March 3, 2026, for adoption of a denial resolution.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Costs associated with the review of this application have been borne by the applicant.
ANALYSIS
Background
The project site is a rectangular parcel of approximately 12,535 square feet, located near the center of the block between North College Avenue and North Harvard Avenue along West Seventh Street. Seventh Street is a historically significant corridor within the City of Claremont, characterized by early residential development associated with many of the City’s founding families and recognized as one of the most well-preserved historic residential streets in the community.
The site is located within the Historic Claremont (HC 7,500) zoning district, which is intended to preserve the single-family residential character and historic and architectural integrity of the district while allowing for compatible and sensitive uses, alterations, and adaptive reuse. The General Plan land use designation is Residential 6, generally characterized by single-family detached residences on individual lots. Surrounding land uses include residential properties to the north, east, and west, and Pomona College to the south.
The property contains two residential structures. The primary residence fronting West Seventh Street was constructed in 1922 and contains approximately 1,767 square feet. Historic survey documentation identifies the residence as the former home of Edwin Norton, founder of the Norton School for Boys. A secondary structure located at the rear of the property was originally constructed in 1925, with a small addition added in 1939. The building currently contains multiple residential units, including two garage spaces, storage areas, and two residential units on the ground floor, with an additional large residential unit located above the garages.
Pursuant to CMC Section 16.303.010(C), churches and religious facilities are allowed as conditional uses within residential zoning districts, including the Historic Claremont District. As a nonprofit religious organization serving students and community members of Jewish faith and heritage, Claremont Hillel qualifies as a religious facility under this designation.
Additionally, pursuant to Assembly Bill 2097 and Government Code Section 65863.2, the City may not impose minimum off-street parking requirements for development projects located within one-half mile of public transit. The subject property is located within approximately 0.5 miles of the Claremont Depot Metrolink Station, qualifying the project for parking exemptions under State law.
Project Description
The facility will be operated by Claremont Hillel, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, the largest Jewish student organization in the world, with a presence on approximately 850 campuses globally. The Claremont Hillel facility will serve as a center for religious, educational, and community-based activities, including weekly Shabbat dinners, prayer gatherings, holiday observances, study sessions, guest speakers, and cultural programming.
Larger events may occur several times per year and may host up to 150 participants. More frequent gatherings, such as weekly Shabbat dinners, are anticipated to occur primarily in the rear yard, with typical attendance ranging from 30 to 50 participants. The applicant has indicated that these activities are religious and educational in nature and are expected to generate low to moderate noise levels consistent with residential neighborhood expectations.
Proposed hours of operation are Sunday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Typical staffing includes approximately five staff members, with daytime and evening programming generally accommodating 5 to 20 visitors, depending on scheduled activities. Staff will be present during all events, including those occurring outside standard business hours.
Ultimately, the purpose of this request is to allow Claremont Hillel to operate a religious facility at 145 West Seventh Street. The proposed project meets all of the required findings as set forth in section 3 of the draft resolution (Attachment A). The project plans are included as Attachment B.
Parking
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65863.2(a), a “public agency shall not impose or enforce any minimum automobile parking requirement on a residential, commercial, or other development project if the project is located within one-half mile of public transit.” 145 West Seventh Street is located 0.5 miles from the Claremont Depot with bus and train services. For this reason, minimum parking requirements cannot be enforced as a requirement for the proposed change of use.
Basis for Recommendation
Approval of a Conditional Use Permit requires the Planning Commission to make the findings set forth in CMC Section 16.303.040. Staff has reviewed the project and determined that all required findings can be made (Attachment A).
The intent of the CUP process, as stated in CMC Section 16.303.000(C), is to allow uses that are conditionally permitted within a zoning district but require individualized review to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses. Staff finds that the proposed religious facility is appropriate and compatible with the Historic Claremont District for the following reasons:
• The project involves adaptive reuse of an existing historic structure, with no proposed physical alterations, thereby preserving the architectural integrity and historic character of the property and surrounding neighborhood.
• The site’s immediate proximity to the Claremont Colleges supports the proposed use, which primarily serves students, faculty, and staff and is designed to function as a walk-in facility accessible predominantly by foot, though there is also street parking.
• The proposed activities are religious, educational, and community-oriented in nature and are not anticipated to result in adverse noise, traffic, or operational impacts beyond those typically associated with residential gatherings.
• State law precludes the imposition of parking requirements, and the site’s location near transit and campus amenities supports non-vehicular access.
Based on these factors, Staff finds that the proposed use will not be detrimental to public health, safety, or welfare, and will not adversely affect surrounding properties or the character of the Historic Claremont District.
CEQA REVIEW
The project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities). Class 1 exemptions apply to the operation, permitting, leasing, or licensing of existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of an existing or former use. The project consists solely of a change in use within an existing residential structure and does not propose any physical expansion or major exterior or interior alterations. The proposed use is consistent with the applicable zoning designation and General Plan land use designation.
Furthermore, the exception to categorical exemptions for historic resources pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2(c) does not apply. Although the property is listed on the Claremont Register, the proposed change of use will not result in a substantial adverse change to the significance of the historic resource, as no modifications to character-defining features, historic materials, or architectural integrity are proposed.
Therefore, no further environmental review is required under CEQA.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item has been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a paper copy, please contact Nhi Atienza at natienza@claremontca.gov.
As a courtesy, notice of this meeting was mailed to properties adjacent to the subject property on February 5, 2026. A copy of this report has been sent to the applicant and other interested parties.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Jordan Goose
Community Development Director Assistant Planner
Attachments:
A - Draft Resolution
B - Proposed Plan Set
C - Historic Survey