FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Church Move Faces Local Opposition

First Chinese Baptist Church wants to relocate its ministry from Westminster to Fountain Valley--but a small group of residents near the new site are opposing the move, citing environmental concerns.

The church plans to buy a four-acre site at 16835 Brookhurst St., a former Christian school, and renovate the four buildings to accommodate a sanctuary for worship services, Bible studies and youth group meetings.

In July, the Planning Commission unanimously approved a permit to allow the conversion. But he decision was appealed to the City Council.

The council is scheduled to hear the appeal at its meeting Tuesday, which begins at 7 p.m.

Opponents of the plan presented the Planning Commission with a petition signed by 34 residents opposed to the project. They were worried about dust, noise, traffic and parking on residential streets, and they want to allow only single-family homes on the property.

The site is zoned for agricultural use, but churches are permitted.

Resident Gerald Johnson said he is concerned about the amount of traffic the church will generate. Johnson said he is also worried about other possible uses of the grounds that are not related to the church, bringing more noise and cars to the area. “But other than that, I have no problems with it,” he said.

Church officials and city planning staff said neighbors’ concerns have been addressed through talks with residents, and several critics of the project say they have changed their minds. As a result, the planning staff is recommending denial of the appeal.

“The church has met all the criteria as established in the Municipal Code for the approval of a conditional use permit,” said Andrea Perea, city planning services manager.

Pastor Murphy Lum said the church has tried to be sensitive to the needs of residents. “We have visited with neighbors, talked to them and made our plans available. . . . We want to be a community church,” he said.

Resident Barbara Homfeld, who signed the petition, said she has changed her mind about the church moving to the neighborhood.

“I’m not concerned anymore. I feel comfortable about it now,” said Homfeld, who was worried about overflow parking into neighborhoods.

The church plans to build a new parking lot with 281 spaces, even though the city is requiring only 185 spaces.

Harriet Carter, who also had signed the petition and whose home is next to the proposed church site, said her concerns also have been resolved. “I’d just as soon have a church than residential” use because it would allow more privacy, Carter said.

Lum said the church has been located in Westminster for more than 16 years, including 13 years at its current site on Hazard Avenue. But it has now outgrown its home, he said.

“We need a bigger area; we’re landlocked in our present location,” he said.

Lum said the church has a congregation of about 500 people and Sunday worship services draw as many as 200 people.