Rock Harbor asks for temporary site

Andrew Glazer

COSTA MESA -- The Planning Commission will vote Monday on whether to

allow a popular church to build a temporary tent on West 17th Street.

The Rock Harbor Church congregation has been holding its services at the

Costa Mesa Senior Center and from a roving trailer.

Church leaders are requesting the city allow them to set up the

7,000-square-foot tent on a lot at Monrovia Avenue owned by Newport

Beach-based Griswold Industries.

Griswold President and CEO, Martin W. Pickett, wrote a letter to the city

stating he would welcome the church there.

Rock Harbor officials told the city it would use the tent, which would

include a sanctuary, classrooms and offices, for three years, or until it

found a permanent location.

Neighbors could be affected by increased traffic and noise, although the

application contains measures to lessen those affects.

According to a council report, city staff has concerns about the

temporary nature of the project, especially because it is on the West

Side -- an area of the city for which they are trying to develop a

comprehensive plan.

The Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at City Hall, 77

Fair Drive.