Long Beach : Approval for Church Ends Neighborhood Battle

Ending a prolonged neighborhood battle over construction of a Greek Orthodox Church at 5761 Colorado St. in southeast Long Beach, the City Council has upheld the Planning Commission’s approval of the project.

The Planning Commission’s action had been appealed to the council, which voted 8-1, with Jan Hall dissenting, to allow construction of the church complex on vacant land. Residents have complained that the complex will be too large and will add to traffic congestion in the area. In response, church officials have lowered the proposed height of the church dome from 75 feet to 60 feet and reduced the church’s seating capacity to 400. In addition to the church building, the complex will include a cultural center and a family center.