TRABUCO CANYON : Action on Church Put Off for Talks

The Orange County Planning Commission on Tuesday indefinitely postponed any action on plans for a $55-million church complex in the foothills northeast of Mission Viejo to allow county planners time to reach a compromise with church officials.

The delay was sought by county Planning Director Michael M. Ruane after his staff and representatives of the 1,500-member congregation were unable to reach agreement on scaling back plans for the 4,800-seat sanctuary complex along Santiago Canyon Road, north of Cook’s Corner.

County planners have said the proposed church is too urban for the semi-rural setting and would trigger congestion in an area that until recently was largely undeveloped. The planners have recommended approval of a sanctuary that would be half the size originally proposed and with fewer ancillary facilities.

But officials of the church, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Church, want to build a permanent home on the 113 acres it owns on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest.

To accommodate the needs of its rapidly expanding parish, church officials say they need a sanctuary larger than the county is willing to support. Besides the worship hall, the church initially proposed building two lighted softball fields, administrative offices, a Sunday School building and parking for 2,200 cars.

In hopes a compromise can be reached, the five-member county Planning Commission agreed without comment Tuesday to delay any action on the church’s proposal to give county planners and church officials an opportunity to explore alternatives. If built, the church would become one of the county’s largest.

Since its formation in the early 1980s, the congregation has leased various school buildings to hold worship services and conduct its daily business. Its Sunday services are now held at Trabuco High School.