Our community needs our St. Andrew's church and the services and
opportunities it provides to countless of adults, children and
families. There is a time in life to let go and yield.
Our people who are opposed to the expansion need to do this and
let St. Andrew's proceed with their plans. The church is a good place
for people. Some people are not looking at the big picture. We are
here to be of service to others and not just look that our needs be
met.
DON AYRES III
Newport Beach
Scaling back the St. Andrew's building project to a level
supported by an updated assessment of needs should be approved. Any
gap between the "magical" 5,000-foot expansion ceded by neighborhood
critics and the studied needs to serve the community short changes
the city's interest in sound development.
JACK AND RUTH WEIBLEN
Newport Beach
I would like to speak in favor of the St Andrew's current plan for
renovation. This does not enlarge our "footprint". We are going down.
St. Andrew's church is a wonderful family church. It is not a mega
church like Mariners. We just want to give a face lift to our church
and make it more inviting to families.
I have been a member of St Andrew's for eight years and it is
truly my church home.
Please allow us to continue serving our community.
NANCY N. BELL
Newport Coast
The Newport Beach Planning Commission should approve the request
for changes submitted by St. Andrew's church at its next meeting on
Sept. 23. By tearing down two existing buildings, digging out an
underground garage, adding underground storage and reconstructing the
two buildings, it is being noticed as an "expansion." While certainly
within the narrow meaning of the term, it is not really an
"expansion" in the sense of expanding beyond the existing property
lines.
More than 170 years ago, a French observer wrote "Democracy in
America," noting among other things, the strong basis of religion
that was the foundation of American democracy and the strong
propensity of Americans to enter into voluntary associations in order
to accomplish many diverse projects. (At that time, Americans
accomplished most of their governmental needs through local and state
government).
We, who are members of the congregation at St. Andrew's, are
voluntarily using our money and time to provide improved services to
Newport Beach youth, particularly in afternoon hours that often lack
adult supervision. St. Andrew's has negotiated a compromise with the
neighbors reducing the plan by 24.4% in square footage. Now, it is
