Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Foothills Sentry
Salem Church expansion wins council approval
Degrees of separation The imperfection was Frank
By Tina Richards
In a virtual replay of the Orange Planning Commission’s public hearing on the proposed Salem Church expansion, the city coun- cil issued a unanimous approval of the project that has become the benchmark for community/devel- oper cooperation. “This is how you do a consen-
sus project,” said OPA resident Tom Davidson, “you don’t shove a development proposal down our throats.” Salem Lutheran Church and
School has been working on ex- pansion plans for eight years. It aims to build a larger sanctu- ary, relocate parking areas and its preschool facilities. Salem’s original plans drew ire from its Orange Park Acres neighbors. The community believed the pro- posed sanctuary was too large for the area, a suggested entrance on Santiago Canyon Road was unsafe, and the relocation of the preschool and playground would generate too much noise for near- by residents.
No rules on this road Several years of negotiations
and revised plans just heightened the discord. Of particular concern to neighbors was the shared use of Frank Lane, a private road that the church/school uses, and the only access to residents’ homes. Dur- ing the hours when parents drop off and pick up their students, Frank Lane is blocked with vehi- cles, and waiting traffic spills onto Orange Park Blvd., making that thoroughfare almost impassable. Last year City Councilmen
Mark Murphy and Mike Alvarez helped create a liaison committee comprised of OPA leadership and Salem consultants. Over time, working in a mediated, concilia- tory atmosphere, they hammered out a compromise that suited al- most everyone.
Lane. Homeowners on the street did not believe that the compro- mise plans to “divide” it with rows of Botts dots would be ef- fective, that a more permanent separation between the church’s portion of the road and the neigh- bors’ was needed. Unappeased residents asked the council: who would have jurisdiction over the private road? who would maintain it? who would inform parents of the rules? And, who would enforce them? “We’re blocked daily,” resident Linda Cunningham said.
“Delivery
trucks park on my property. We need a person at Salem who we can call when we have issues.” “Maybe its time to improve
That plan sailed
through the planning commission with little dissent, paving the way for the Orange City Council’s ap- proval at its March 10 meeting. During the meeting, Murphy thanked all parties for the give- and-take that created an expan- sion plan acceptable to the com- munity and the church. He did note, however, that not all issues had been resolved. “It’s not per- fect,” he said. “It can’t be. That’s magic.”
Frank Lane,” Alvarez said, “for both the church and the neigh- bors.” Even as they approved the project, the council recognized that Frank Lane’s shared use had to be dealt with. Mayor Tita Smith asked that the approval include an order that both par- ties work with city staff to find an agreeable separation on Frank Lane. “It’s the last piece of the puzzle,” she said. During a short break following
the council vote, Salem’s con- sultants were seen huddled with the Frank Lane neighbors, going over drawings and taking notes. “Look, they’re already working on it,” a satisfied Salem Church member proclaimed. “We’re go- ing to work this out.”
Richard Rohm was sworn in as treasurer for the City of Orange, as his wife Kristine and their two daughters looked on. Rohm was born and raised in Orange, and lives with his family in a historical home in Old Towne. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School, Orange High and graduated from Cal State, Fullerton in 1985, later earning an M.S. degree in taxation from Golden Gate University. Richard joined Rohm and Rohm CPAs in 1993, and is a partner.
Page 3
17871 Santiago Blvd. #228 Villa Park, CA 92861
Providing dental services for over 30 years Making smiles and changing lives every day
Comprehensive dental care for the entire family
New patients are welcome
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24