Dana Point church renovation approved, without columbarium

Development project decision delayed

A proposal to build 30,000 square feet of retail space and 111 residential condominiums on seven lots along Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue was also scheduled for the Sept. 22 Planning Commission meeting. However, the issue was postponed because revisions still needed to be made and the plan was not ready to go, city Community Development Director Ursula Luna-Reynosa said at the meeting.

For those interested in Majestic's plan, the issue will be heard at a special Planning Commission meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo Ave.

The Gloria Dei Lutheran Church got the go-ahead from the city on Monday night to make major renovations, minus one contested part: a columbarium a structure that holds urns of cremated ashes.

Some members of the citys Planning Commission and residents who live by the church voiced concerns about having such a structure near peoples homes; church representatives said it would be a small garden-like space for reflection.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved permits for the rest of the construction plans for the 3.4-acre property, which include building a new 331-seat sanctuary, gym, preschool building, increased parking, a 46-foot elevator tower and a 44-foot carillon tower. The carillon tower, or bell tower, would only be permitted to ring at certain times, such as services and special occasions, following commissioner concerns. The existing sanctuary will be converted into administration offices.

Commissioners asked Gloria Dei representatives to come back with specifics on how many inurnments the columbarium would hold and what it would look like. The commission approved the rest of the plan; the church can apply for a separate conditional-use permit for the columbarium in the future.

The church at 33501 Stonehill Drive has been a part of the community for close to 50 years, said pastor and Dana Point resident David Mattson during the meeting.

We thought a lot about the impact on the neighborhood, Mattson said. We spent a lot of time thinking about parking, noise, ministry, all of those things. We obviously want to be good neighbors.

The columbarium and bell tower drew interest at Monday nights meeting, with a few residents complaining that the words columbarium and carillon tower were unclear or hidden. Eight people spoke at the planning meeting, evenly split between church members and residents.

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Dana Point church renovation approved, without columbarium