EDITORIAL
The Costa Mesa City Council on Monday made a wise decision in
overturning a Planning Commission decision and allowing Calvary Church
Newport Mesa to build a temporary sanctuary along Newport Boulevard.
The unanimous decision allows the church to build a 36-foot-high,
7,910-square-foot tent at 2115 Newport Blvd., the church’s eventual
location once it moves from its Orange Avenue site.
The council Monday granted the church a 2 1/2-year approval, after
which the church will be required to request an extension of up to
another 2 1/2 years.
The church says it needs the tent because its permanent sanctuary
cannot be built until they sell the Orange Avenue property. In the
meantime, the church will monitor the real estate market. Church
officials say it’s more difficult to sell the site now because the city
issued a moratorium on small-lot development. The Orange site is in a
medium-density residential zone.
The Planning Commission in late February voted 3 to 2 to reject the
church’s request, saying the tent would not be compatible with its
surroundings and would set a precedent for other churches that have
outgrown their buildings.
When it comes down to it, though, Newport Boulevard appears to be a
piecemeal set up as it is, so how can something actually not fit in
there? Further, the Planning Commission, just like the City Council,
should make decisions with planning in mind and a heart within.
After the commission’s decision, the church did make some adjustments
to appease city officials, and the City Council made it worth its effort.
The right decision has been made.
However, we do urge the church not to take advantage of the council’s
generosity and to sell its Orange Avenue property sooner rather than
later. After the 2 1/2 years, we hope the church will not need to ask for
another 2 1/2-year extension. We hope by then that the permanent
sanctuary will be built or that it will be close to being finished.
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