Church’s land plan set for approval

Deirdre Newman

After planning staff members earlier this month recommended rejecting

plans for a housing development on land owned by The Crossing church,

church officials modified their proposal to try and gain approval.

Now the odds for approval are stacked higher in the church’s

favor.

Planning staff members are recommending the Planning Commission

approve the project when it is considered tonight, since it now fits

in better with the neighborhood around 23rd Street and Orange Avenue.

Tim Celek, pastor of The Crossing, was not available for comment.

The church headquarters moved from the Eastside location to a

larger, more state-of-the-art facility on Newport Boulevard in

October 2002.

Changes to the development include reducing the number of

two-story housing units from 26 to 25, increasing the amount of open

space and increasing the number of guest parking spaces. The

redesigned project is now consistent with the city’s general plan

goals including encouraging the development of low-density

residential uses and owner-occupied housing.

The Planning Commission continued the issue from their meeting of

April 12. Chairman Bruce Garlich said he is looking forward to

considering the revised project Monday.

“I think the whole thing was a win-win for everyone,” Garlich

said. “I’m delighted. I’m sure it will get support now. I don’t think

it would have before.”