SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Planners to Consider Church Project

Plans to build a 38,580-square-foot church complex on a former chicken ranch are scheduled to go before city planning commissioners tonight, the third time the project has been before the five-member panel this year.

The South Coast Christian Assembly hopes to build three two-story buildings on the nearly four-acre site that was once part of the privately owned, 100-acre Honeyman Ranch.

The site is at the end of Avenida Los Cerritos, just east of Interstate 5 and north of Ortega Highway.

The church group purchased the property more than seven years ago.

Included in the group’s plans are a church or worship center, a Sunday school and administration building, a basketball court and a gazebo.

Parking stalls would surround the buildings.

Although commissioners have previously expressed concerns about access to the complex and lighting from its parking lot, the city staff now recommends the project be approved.

A divided City Council voted 3 to 2 last year to reclassify the rural area from an agricultural zone to a public and institutional zone that would allow a church to be built.

Council members who voted against the zoning change said access to the site was the key issue.

Residents of the rural area around the property who formerly protested the project said Monday that they would attend tonight’s meeting, although they believe it is too late to stop the development.

“As far as I know, it is all decided,” said Leonor E. Hammond, who has lived on Avenida Los Cerritos for nearly 44 years.

“The church has now bought the land to the north of us and behind us. We are sort of resigned to this now.”

Before construction can begin, the project must be approved by the City Council.