Anaheim : Churches May Get OK to Use Industrial Sites

Although a final vote on the issue is set for next week, City Council members on Tuesday voiced support for a proposed ordinance that would allow churches to use space within an industrial area near Anaheim Hills.

Under the ordinance, churches could apply for conditional use permits--subject to council approval--to occupy buildings in the Anaheim Canyon Industrial Area for up to three years. The ordinance does not warrant a zoning change, City Clerk Lee Sohl said.

Pastors from several local churches at the Tuesday hearing supported the ordinance, which is aimed at helping churches establish themselves before finding a permanent location.

For example, Frank Lowry Jr., an attorney representing Living Faith Church, said he has “no objections” to the ordinance.

Living Faith is one of several churches that have asked the city for use of Anaheim Canyon Industrial Area as a temporary home. Rockwell International Corp., Hughes Aircraft Co., other businesses and a high school are in the area.

Assistant Zoning Director Annika M. Santalahti and Community Development and Planning Director Norman J. Priest recommended against adopting the ordinance, saying that it may invite other groups, such as private schools, to request similar accommodations.

Santalahti said after the meeting that the canyon industrial area is virtually the only place in the city where churches cannot apply for a conditional use permit. The purpose, she said, is to keep the area strictly for industrial uses.

Councilman E. Llewellyn Overholt Jr. said he fears the city could have trouble responding to neighbor complaints if they arise.

But Councilman Irv Pickler responded: “If something gets out of hand, we can always revoke the CUP (conditional use permit).”

Permits would be granted on a case-by-case basis, subject to council renewal each year and to any guidelines the council establishes. This approach would give the council wide discretion on who can be granted a permit, Pickler said.