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.