‘Mega-church’ would divide community

It is with great interest that I monitor the debate over the St.

Andrew’s expansion process. Based on the meetings that I have

attended, both pro and con, the forum letters written and the Daily

Pilot articles, it appears as if St. Andrew’s has evolved from a

neighborhood church to a community church and is now poised to serve

the “Harbor Community” as a mega-church.

As published in the Daily Pilot, the supporters live in Eastbluff,

Mesa Verde or Eastside Costa Mesa, and the dissenters are from the

Newport Heights/Cliff Haven area, in which St. Andrew’s is located.

“Neighbor” is defined in Webster’s as “one living near or immediately

adjoining.” As a neighbor of St. Andrew’s, I oppose the expansion

plans and any rezoning.

St. Andrew’s Church proposes to build a fellowship hall,

classrooms, a new youth center, a gymnasium and related facilities to

support the existing church and more parking areas. The project

includes the demolition of two existing buildings; one of the

education buildings and the existing fellowship hall will be

demolished and replaced.

The church also plans to complete interior renovations to several

of the remaining buildings. Grading and excavation for the parking

structures and building construction will be required. Construction

will include alteration of landscaping and site lighting.

The church is proposing to construct a subterranean parking garage

beneath the surface parking lot proposed along Clay Street. Four

hundred parking spaces are proposed to accommodate the existing and

proposed development. This transformation in mission has divided the

community.

ROBERT SHAW

Newport Beach