SAN CLEMENTE : Both Sides Displeased by Steeple Decision

The First Baptist Church and members of the Highland Light Homeowners Assn. both walked away from this week’s City Council meeting unhappy with the council’s decision to allow the church to construct a 29-foot-high lighthouse steeple.

The church had requested permission to build a 33-foot-high steeple, but homeowners objected, saying that any structure higher than 25 feet would obstruct their views and lower their property values.

The council approved plans for construction of a 14,000-square-foot church and preschool at the corner of Via Sargo and Calle Frontera in February but told church officials that they had to try to work out a compromise with neighbors regarding an acceptable height for the steeple.

A compromise was reached by both parties in March when the church agreed to change its original plans to build the steeple next to the church. Instead, the church agreed to build the steeple near its parking area, which is on lower ground, so that it would not interfere with the neighborhood view.

But the compromise was not accepted by the city’s Community Design Commission, which recommended that the steeple remain attached to the church to preserve its “architectural integrity.”

“It’s quite unfortunate that we’re all in this position,” Councilwoman Candace Haggard said after the council rejected the compromise solution reached by both parties.

“This is a tough one,” added Councilman Scott Diehl. “I think this is a case where no one will be happy with the outcome. I’d like to try to begin the healing process between the homeowners and the church.”

Senior Pastor Mike Fabarez said the lighthouse is crucial to the church’s design. He added that the main reason the church is moving from 107 W. Margarita Street to the new location is to be more visible to the community.

But Fabarez said he is not sure that the church will be able to build the steeple at the 29-foot height approved by the council.

“We accept the council’s decision, but it is not our preference,” Fabarez said. “There is a chance that we won’t build it.”

“Our intent all along has been to build a church that is pleasing to the community and that San Clemente could be proud of,” Fabarez added. “It was our intent to reach a compromise, but that was not accepted by the various committees involved.”

Bob McKinley, president of the homeowner’s association, said “there are some hard feelings” toward both the city and the church.

“We had reached an agreement and were ready to go full force,” McKinley said. “We thought we had a compromise. It seems kind of ridiculous that they would throw out all of our hard work. It was very irresponsible of the Community Design Commission. They’re not doing their duty.”

Construction of the church is expected to begin later this month.