Judge denies Praise Christian

A federal judge has denied Praise Christian Center’s request for a

preliminary injunction allowing the church to hold indoor services

despite not complying with city rules.

It is the latest move in a lengthy battle that began when the Fire

Department told the congregation in December 2001 that they could not

hold services in the building at the corner of Goldenwest Street and

Ellis Avenue because it violated safety codes.

Services were moved to an outdoor tent, where they are still being

held.

In September 2002, the Planning Commission granted the church a

conditional use permit but required that a list of upgrades be made

to the building. A fee of $44,809 for road improvements was also

required.

Leaders of Praise Christian Center say that a long list of

restrictions and fees were aimed to run the church out of the

building. City leaders deny the accusation and say the building does

not conform to safety codes.

The church filed a lawsuit against the city in October 2003

alleging discrimination.

U.S. District Judge Gary Taylor backed the city on April 21. He

said the church, like any other building, has to conform to safety

codes.

“The judge suggested that he considered this to be a garden

variety land-use dispute and not some great constitutional issue

about the freedom of religion,” said Assistant City Atty. Scott

Field.

Robert Tyler, an attorney representing the church, did not return

calls.

In December 2001, Fire Department officials told they couldn’t

hold services inside because the building violated safety codes.

Services were then moved to an outdoor tent, where they are still

being held. In September 2002, the church was granted a conditional

use permit. The permit requires the church to perform a series of

upgrades and pay about $8,000 for road improvements. City officials

wanted church leaders to address fire safety and building code

issues, Field said.

Church leaders argued that the city violated the Religious Land

Use and Institutional Persons Act, which makes it illegal to regulate

a church differently than any other type of assembly.

City leaders deny charges of discrimination and say they aren’t

treating the center any differently than they would any other

building.

“We expect them to comply with the same building and fire codes

that any other public assembly must [comply with,” Field said.

“That’s all we’re asking them to do.”

The preliminary injunction was denied, but the church’s lawsuit

will continue. A trial has been set for January 2005 at the federal

courthouse in Santa Ana.

“This is not a case where we denied them the right to convert a

landscaping warehouse into a church,” Field said. “We granted them

that authority. We would like them to meet the same fire and safety

conditions anyone would meet.”

Council needs more time to replace Ray Silver

The City Council failed to appoint a new city administrator during

its closed session meeting Tuesday and continued the discussion to

Monday.

“It’s a huge position and you have seven people deciding and we’re

following a very careful process that we’ve mapped out,” Mayor Cathy

Green said. “We want to do the very, very best that we can for this

city and everyone knows it and feels that responsibility very

heavily.”

After 13 years in office, City Administrator Ray Silver’s last day

is Friday.

Silver took over as city administrator in 1997 after serving seven

years as assistant to former City Administrator Michael Uberuaga.

Before coming to Huntington Beach, Silver served as city manager in

the cities of Coronado and Upland and as director of planning and

land use for San Diego County.

Council members have already screened all of the candidates and

held first and second interviews.

“There’s unbelievable talent out there,” Green said.

Maximus, an executive search firm hired in December to search for

a replacement, set up meetings with residents and business owners to

solicit community input.

Amid a long list of qualifications, community members at a Jan. 29

meeting, said they were hoping to find someone with experience and a

long-range vision for the city. Preserving the sense of community is

crucial, as is fiscal responsibility and expanding Surf City’s

revenue base, they said.

Assistant City Administrator Bill Workman will fill the post until

someone is appointed.

Bella Terra unveils list of shops coming next year

Bella Terra owners and developers released a list of stores last

week that have signed on with Surf City’s new $170-million outdoor

mall.

Shops will include Bed Bath and Beyond, REI, Ulta Cosmetics,

Solitaire Diamonds and T-Mobile.

Restaurants will include Kabucki, Daphne’s Greek Cafe, Pomodoro

Cucina Italiana, Islands, California Pizza Kitchen, Johnny Rockets,

La Salsa, Tacone, Tummy Stuffers, Ben and Jerry’s and Krispy Kreme.

Existing tenants, such as Barnes and Noble, Circuit City, Staples,

Burlington Coat Factory, Mervyn’s, Starbucks, See’s Candies, The

General Store, Macaroni Grill and Bank of America will remain.

On-site excavation for a new 20-screen Century Theaters Complex is

underway. When it’s done the 800,000-square-foot center will also

include 71 shops and restaurants, an outdoor entertainment

amphitheater and a six-story, 1,540-space parking structure.

Developers hope to have the mall complete by the spring of 2005.

Two girls and a boy for Rohrabacher family

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher became a father three times over Monday

night when his wife, Rhonda Carmony, gave birth to triplets at

Saddleback Memorial Hospital in Orange. Though they were a month

premature, the two girls and one boy are reportedly healthy and will

go home soon. Daughter Annika Brigit Rohrabacher, 4 pounds 6 ounces,

was born first around 5:15 p.m. She was followed by her brother,

Christian August Rohrabacher, 3 pounds 15 ounces, and her sister,

Tristen Francis Rohrabacher, 3 pounds 7 ounces. Now that the

congressman will have his hands quite literally full with his new

family, he is expected to spend more time in Huntington Beach.

Great Earth Walk to strut through city Saturday

The Great Earth Walk, a fundraiser and environmental education

event, will hold two walks in Huntington Beach Saturday.

A three-mile hike through Bolsa Chica hike will teach walkers

about the site’s Native American history and what they can do to

preserve it. It will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The second is a six-mile round-trip trek to the pier and back

beginning at 9 a.m. Walkers will learn how gutters and storm drains

affect local beaches.