Trinity Center appeal is put on hold

City officials backed away Tuesday from making a decision on a proposed replacement and expansion of meeting facilities at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church that has raised the hackles of neighbors.

The City Council voted 4-0 to table an appeal of the project — which calls for the destruction of the 4,500-square-foot Guild Hall and the construction of a new 7,830-square-foot, multi-use educational and outreach facility. The council offered to pay half the fee for a facilitator to work with the church and the neighborhood if the church would pay the other half.

“I am hoping there can be a compromise,” project critic Karen Blankenzee said. “I was told by one church member that a compromise is possible, but there is nothing in writing.”

Parking problems were high on the neighbors’ list of concerns. They said the proposed expansion would exacerbate the already intense competition for street parking in the area.

“I have said consistently that if the church rebuilt the same size on the same location, no increase in parking would be needed,” neighbor Russ Cogdill said. “If there is an increase, we need more parking.”

The Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee and the Planning Commission, which reviewed the project for impacts and design, recommended approval of the proposed Trinity Center, including the church’s plan for off-site parking.

“Streets are for public parking; that means anybody,” PTC member Dennis Myers said. “Yes, it is difficult, but we can’t do anything about that. The church did everything we asked.

“I see no reason why they [the church] shouldn’t be approved, and that was the opinion of the entire PTC.”

City code does not require the church to provide additional parking for added ancillary church space. If the project was not a religious institution, an additional 168 parking spaces would be required under the code for a building of that size.

“It doesn’t need to be separately parked, and I understand you [council] can’t require it,” said Tom Davis, church advocate for the project. “Trinity Center is meant to replace the Guild Hall which is old, leaky and doesn’t meet our needs.”

The center would have a meeting space of 2,100 square feet and classrooms totaling another 2,100 square feet. The remaining 3,640 square feet are devoted to hallways, bathrooms and storage, City Planner Scott Drapkin said.

“This project is huge, and it will have a huge impact on the downtown — the meeting room will be second only to Montage,” Cogdill said.

Cogdill was one of 12 project opponents who spoke at the meeting.

“I represent 26 homes east of the project,” Marc Woodward said. “I don’t mean to sound cute or rude, but does the church pay taxes? We people pay taxes, and the people don’t want this project the size it is.”

Destruction of the Guild Hall also was criticized.

The hall was built in 1939, possibly by Aubrey St. Claire, an early Laguna architect, according to Barbara Metzger, spokeswoman for Village Laguna.

“We have opposed this project from the beginning, hoping [the council] would ask for a reduction in the size of the new building and incorporate the original building,” Metzger said. “The possibility of rehabilitating the Guild Hall should have been considered from the beginning.”

Ron Kaufman appealed the Planning Commission recommendation for approval to the council.

“The site is not large enough for the project,” Kaufman said.

A commission-approved variance would permit the proposed structure to exceed the Downtown Specific Plan height limit by 4 to 15 feet in various locations, Kaufman said.

“My view would be 100% gone, and that seems contrary to the Laguna Beach code to provide view equity,” Kaufman said. “You will be taking a 400-pound gorilla and putting it into a 10-pound box.”

The structure would qualify for the city’s historical register — which has never been requested by the church — and consequent perquisites, such as setback intrusions.

“St. Mary’s is one of our most valuable assets,” Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider said. “But I do not think it [the project] meets the intent of the Downtown Specific Plan. We are trying to preserve something special. If the look and feel of the original building can be reinforced, that is what we are looking for.

“The Historical Register might be the way to go.”

The design of the new building draws on Craftsman-style elements, completely eradicating the Italianate identity of the original hall.

“My grandfather was the builder of the original St. Mary’s,” Jessica De Stefano said. “He also built Ron Kaufman’s home, which was the original rectory and St. Francis by the Sea.

“This is a unique pocket of Laguna Beach history.”

Parishioner Tim Carlyle said he thought that, after the December hearing on the project, the only concern was parking.

“And it was a legitimate concern,” Carlyle said. “St. Mary’s, like other churches, doesn’t pay taxes, but it is a contributor to the community. It provides an asset to the community.”

Councilwoman Toni Iseman said voting against the church project was difficult.

“This church has been a leader in taking care of the community, and it’s hard to deny them, but we have to put on blinders,” Iseman said.

No date was set for a follow-up meeting. Neighbors will be re-noticed.

———————————————————————————————————————

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Should religious institutions be allowed to expand without increasing parking? Write us at P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA, 92652, e-mail us at coastlinepilot@latimes.com or fax us at 494-8979. Please give your name and tell us your home address and phone number for verification purposes only.