Anaheim : Opponents ‘Stunned’ by Approval for College Site

Residents opposed to a college for artistically gifted, mentally retarded people said Wednesday they were “still stunned” by the city’s decision late Tuesday night to allow the college to locate in their neighborhood.

In addition to losing their appeal to bar Hope University-UNICO National College from moving into what now is the Euclid Street Baptist Church, the Anawood residents lost another fight: to close the elementary school the church now operates. The neighbors had complained that the church’s school, which the city attorney said did not have the necessary permit to operate, brought noise and traffic to the area.

After four hours of testimony from both sides, Anaheim officials upheld a Planning Commission decision to allow Hope University--believed to be the first of its kind in the United States--to occupy the site at 1408 South Euclid St.

At the same time, the council dropped the Planning Commission mandate that the church close its 250-student elementary school by July. Instead, the council agreed with the church’s proposal to phase out the school program during the next three years while the church moves to another site.

“The neighbors got nothing. It was 100 to 0,” said resident Dorothy Rubin. “We’re still stunned.”

Council members did stipulate that Hope University could not build an eight-unit apartment complex until the church school has completely moved out. The proposed apartments, which the college wants to use for students and visiting relatives, was another issue the neighboring residents protested.

Councilman Ben Bay, the lone dissenter in the 4-1 vote, said Wednesday that the issue was muddled because it involved a school for mentally retarded people as well as the church.

“I think it was like voting against motherhood and apple pie,” Bay said.

The Baptist church, which is not associated with Hope University or UNICO International, an Italian-American service organization, plan to swap lands for their respective projects. In exchange for the 2.9 acres belonging to the church, UNICO plans to give the church from 30 to 40 acres in an undisclosed site in Anaheim Hills.

Anawood resident Marilyn Richey, echoing many of her neighbors, said Wednesday that, through the years, the church’s school has grown without control. Another school--Hope University--will not solve the problem, she said. “It is not a question of whether we want the elementary school or Hope school. The question is, do we want a school. And the answer is, we don’t want a school of any kind.”

Bryan Crow, pastor of the Baptist church, which has been at the Euclid site for about 24 years, said Wednesday that he was “very satisfied” with the council’s decision.

Now, Crow said, “Our primary concern is to re-establish positive relations in the neighborhood.”

Meanwhile, Doris Walker, executive director of Hope University, which now operates mainly out of two back rooms at an Anaheim shopping center, said her 37 students probably will move to the Baptist church site this summer.