Chabad of the Conejo to expand

Conejo, CA — Chabad of the Conejo received approval from the Agoura Hills planning commission to remodel its center and add a new two-story office building on Canwood Street.

Rabbi Moshe Bryski, executive director of Chabad of the Conejo in Agoura Hills, said the Jewish community had outgrown the space. He requested approval to remodel the existing assembly hall with ancillary classes into a 3,320square-foot sanctuary.

“We simply want to make everyone more comfortable,” Bryski said.

The new 7,000-square-foot, two-story office building will be constructed for religious education and administrative uses. Programs available at Chabad of the Conejo include the Friendship Circle, a project dedicated to helping children with special needs. Children and adults attend various educational programs at the Chabad, including workshops and special studies.

Bryski faced some obstacles with the remodeling plan. He needed to secure a conditional-use permit to maintain the religious usage in a commercial zone, and a variance to allow fewer parking spaces than normally required. A shorter setback between the project and adjacent lot also had to be approved, and the rabbi faced some landscaping challenges.

Under the city’s code, 64 parking spaces would have been required, but the property will only accommodate a total of 31, including eight existing spaces and a new 23-space area.

Since the temple will be used by the orthodox Jewish community, cars will not be driven on Saturday, the Sabbath.

Commissioner Curtis Zacuto was assured that the parking area met safety requirements, including emergency vehicle access to the building in the back.

Another concern centered on whether parking would be sufficient for subsequent owners of the property. The panel agreed the proposed building would be appropriate for future orthodox usage or for other businesses.

Deliberations ranged from safety concerns to landscaping aesthetics. Commissioner Steve Rishoff said he wondered if the parking shortage would create a less marketable building in the future.

The 5-foot setback between the new office building and the adjacent lot was also considered by the

panel. Ordinarily, a 35foot distance between property lines would be required. Commissioners recognized the adjoining property added a 200-foot buffer with a parking lot.

The Chabad of the Conejo will serve as a regional headquarters, Bryski said.

In the end, commissioners determined that the project met all required conditions and unanimously approved the plans.