HUNTINGTON BEACH : Church Can Meet in Industrial Building

The City Council voted Monday to permit a new church to use an industrial building during non-business hours despite opposition from industrial neighbors and an earlier denial by the Planning Commission.

Stonebridge Christian Church will be allowed to hold services in a 2,000-square-foot portion of a 23,873-square-foot industrial building at 5331 McFadden Ave.

Industrial uses would continue on weekdays and the church would operate on Sundays and some weeknights during non-business hours.

More than 30 businesses contended in a petition to city officials that they couldn’t coexist with a church in the industrial park.

The Planning Commission in October turned down the church’s request on grounds it is not compatible for the area and that industrial uses could generate unacceptable noise levels and involve storage of hazardous materials.

However, Kenneth K. Gibo, a church member and president of Intra Storage Systems Inc. who is making a part of his company’s building available for the church, told the council that church members agree not to file complaints about noise or other issues.

Gibo said he expects the church to become established in February or March.

Malcolm Toriumi, who told council members that he is an ordained Presbyterian minister and a leader of Stonebridge Christian Church, said the new church will reach out to third- and fourth-generation Japanese Americans and other Asian Americans.

He called the space in the industrial building “an ideal setting for the beginning of a new church.” A traditional church would be a costly investment that would be “a ball and chain for members for years,” he said.

Church officials said they expect about 70 to 150 people would attend regular Sunday worship services. About five to 40 people are expected at informal gatherings on weeknights, they said.