ORANGE COUNTY FILE

Lobbying Continues

Cottonwood Christian Center leaders continue their lobbying efforts to build on 18 acres of property in Cypress they purchased for $13 million. Pastors asked the 4,000-plus congregation to shop in Cypress over the holidays to show merchants Cottonwood’s buying power. The church followed up by sending out a news release this week showing that congregants spent nearly $36,000 during the “Blessing Businesses in Cypress” campaign.

The church even provided a store-by-store breakdown. The shopping spree was part of “turning the other cheek,” as the pastors put it, after the Cypress City Council voted in November for an emergency 10 1/2-month moratorium on all projects, including Cottonwood’s, in the redevelopment zone near the Los Alamitos Race Course. The move was designed to give the city time to develop a plan for the area.

City planners envision a town-center style development, which may not include a church. Cottonwood has outgrown its space in Los Alamitos, and has spent the last two years buying contiguous land from six property owners and planning a major facility.

Church and city officials have met in recent weeks to see if they can reach a deal.

Bishop Gets Report

A much-anticipated report on the needs of the local Catholic Church commissioned last year by the Diocese of Orange was delivered to Bishop Tod D. Brown this week. The study was written after consultants interviewed hundreds of county Catholics, including clergy, business leaders, poverty-relief workers and parishioners. The results won’t be made public until church leaders have had studied them. The report’s findings will probably be the basis for a capital campaign that could raise more than $100 million for the diocese.

Religious news of countywide interest may be sent to Gena Pasillas at The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa 92626. They also may be faxed to (714) 966-7711 or sent by e-mail to gena.pasillas@latimes.com