Even with revisions, church project too big

Jim Carmack

The proposed expansion of St. Andrew’s Church is clearly a very

emotional issue. Proponents state the church needs this expansion to

serve the needs of youth in the community, and neighbors say it is

already too big for a residential neighborhood. The vast majority of

the community doesn’t really care.

I think a few facts about the current plan might help illustrate

the cause for the intensity of this debate.

The current size of the facility is more than 104,000 square feet

on four acres of land, zoned as residential with a conditional-use

permit. The proposed expansion would add 21,000 feet of building and

a parking structure of more than 130,000 square feet. The proposed

project would take well over a year to build and displace all of the

current parking available for the church and high school on the site

during construction.

For those of you who are not members or neighbors of St. Andrew’s,

please try to picture this facility a block away from your home. For

those who attend Newport Harbor High, visualize the parking and

traffic issues you will face during construction of this project. For

those of you in other parts of the city, consider the precedent this

project sets for your neighborhood church.

Two neighborhood associations have worked with St. Andrew’s for

more than a year to understand the need for this project and to

provide input that would help reduce the impact upon our homes.

The current plan, although twice modified, still far exceeds what

is appropriate for a residential neighborhood. St. Andrew’s is a

fine, well-funded organization with a bright and talented membership.

I am convinced with this pool of money and talent, they can achieve

their stated goal of increasing service to youth with a remodel and

without this massive project.

As a neighbor, I beg the members of St. Andrew’s to urge their

leadership to show compassion for their neighbors and abandon this

massive development project. Please remind your leadership that it is

impacting, in a negative way, the very families that it hopes to

attract with this expansion.

* JIM CARMACK is a Newport Beach resident.