Church Gets OK to Continue Operations

The Simi Valley Planning Commission on Wednesday gave the New Life church permission to do something that it has done for years--worship at its center on 1st Street.

The church needed permission because of a fine point in the city’s zoning laws. Religious organizations require a special-use permit to operate on land zoned for industrial uses, and the New Life center, near the intersection of 1st and Easy streets, is in an industrial area.

New Life occupies 6,384 square feet in the Simi Valley Commerce Center, a complex of offices and manufacturing space. City planners first noticed the center after a routine inspection by Ventura County fire officials in 1993. They then notified church leaders, who requested and received temporary authorization to continue services at the center.

City planners had recommended that the commission approve the special-use permit, noting that worship services did not interfere with surrounding businesses. To ensure enough parking at the commerce center, planners have required that the church operate after 5:30 p.m. weekdays, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Sundays.