Garden Grove : City Department OKs Church Expansion Plan

Despite opposition from neighbors, the Garden Grove Planning Department has recommended approval of the Crystal Cathedral’s plans to expand.

The recommendation goes to the city Planning Commission, which will vote Thursday.

Plans call for construction of a six-story building and a cemetery on Chapman Avenue.

Jerry Blum, planning division manager, said the department recommended that a pedestrian gate on Salerno Street be sealed, a drainage system be installed to stop the runoff of water onto Dawn Avenue and that a driveway that exits on Dawn Avenue be closed, he said. Other conditions include a seven-foot height limit for crypts and an assessment by the city within six months of the parking situation in the residential area.

Blum said the city might prohibit parking on Sunday on surrounding streets or require parking permits.

The church plans to demolish two buildings on the 74,000-square-foot property and construct a building with two subterranean floors on the southwest corner of the cemetery site. The planning staff met with church and neighborhood representatives to discuss the expansion after a group of residents earlier had protested. The development must be be approved by the City Council.