Discussion about church’s growth continues to expand

Our community needs our St. Andrew’s church and the services and

opportunities it provides to countless of adults, children and

families. There is a time in life to let go and yield.

Our people who are opposed to the expansion need to do this and

let St. Andrew’s proceed with their plans. The church is a good place

for people. Some people are not looking at the big picture. We are

here to be of service to others and not just look that our needs be

met.

DON AYRES III

Newport Beach

Scaling back the St. Andrew’s building project to a level

supported by an updated assessment of needs should be approved. Any

gap between the “magical” 5,000-foot expansion ceded by neighborhood

critics and the studied needs to serve the community short changes

the city’s interest in sound development.

JACK AND RUTH WEIBLEN

Newport Beach

I would like to speak in favor of the St Andrew’s current plan for

renovation. This does not enlarge our “footprint”. We are going down.

St. Andrew’s church is a wonderful family church. It is not a mega

church like Mariners. We just want to give a face lift to our church

and make it more inviting to families.

I have been a member of St Andrew’s for eight years and it is

truly my church home.

Please allow us to continue serving our community.

NANCY N. BELL

Newport Coast

The Newport Beach Planning Commission should approve the request

for changes submitted by St. Andrew’s church at its next meeting on

Sept. 23. By tearing down two existing buildings, digging out an

underground garage, adding underground storage and reconstructing the

two buildings, it is being noticed as an “expansion.” While certainly

within the narrow meaning of the term, it is not really an

“expansion” in the sense of expanding beyond the existing property

lines.

More than 170 years ago, a French observer wrote “Democracy in

America,” noting among other things, the strong basis of religion

that was the foundation of American democracy and the strong

propensity of Americans to enter into voluntary associations in order

to accomplish many diverse projects. (At that time, Americans

accomplished most of their governmental needs through local and state

government).

We, who are members of the congregation at St. Andrew’s, are

voluntarily using our money and time to provide improved services to

Newport Beach youth, particularly in afternoon hours that often lack

adult supervision. St. Andrew’s has negotiated a compromise with the

neighbors reducing the plan by 24.4% in square footage. Now, it is

time for Newport Beach officials to approve this amended project and

let it come to fruition.

RONALD and MARY JANE

HIGBY

Huntington Beach

I have heard so much negative press about the St. Andrew’s

expansion project. I think everyone in Cliffhaven and Newport Heights

needs to take a look at what is really the traffic issue in the

neighborhood.

The fact that all three schools -- Newport Harbor, Ensign and

Newport Heights -- start and end school within 15 to 20 minutes of

each other causes much more of a traffic impact than St. Andrew’s

does. It is also a much more dangerous situation to have elementary

aged children competing with first-time drivers from the high school.

I would wish for the neighborhood to stop blaming St. Andrew’s for

all of the traffic problems. Hasn’t the traffic been better over the

summer? Just wait until Sept. 7 when the schools start to be reminded

of this impact.

MELISSA RAKESTRAW

Newport Beach

Our family has attended St. Andrew’s church for 13 years. We have

a daughter who is 16 years old and a son who is 12 years old.

We believe that St. Andrew’s has done an excellent job in

compromising with its neighbors who oppose expansion. My family and I

support the plans as they are now.

JANE, CHUCK, KATHRYN

AND SCOTT FELDER

Newport Beach

As members of St. Andrew’s church and residents of Newport Beach,

we would urge the Newport Beach City Council and neighbors of St.

Andrew’s to support the improvements proposed by the church.

St. Andrew’s has made every effort to accommodate the needs of the

surrounding community by providing a center for the benefit of the

youth and to provide additional parking.

TOM AND BEV HENDERSON

Newport Coast

I support what St. Andrew’s is doing. I don’t have any problem

with the traffic or the parking and I believe the church is doing the

right thing.

KATHY TROXEL

Newport Beach

The project is way too large for the neighborhood and we don’t

want any more expansion than what we already have. We want a nice,

beautiful neighborhood church, which is what we already have.

ROBERT CRAIG

Newport Beach

What would Jesus do?

WARREN CHRISTIANSEN

Costa Mesa