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Poway City Council reluctant to open business park to churches

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Members of four local congregations lobbied the Poway City Council Tuesday night to allow churches in the Poway Business Park.

While they did not receive a flat “no” from the council, indications were that a majority of its members will need a little more convincing if a change to the business park’s zoning is going to happen.

Meeting in a non-voting workshop, the council agreed to hold another public meeting, perhaps in the spring, to further discuss the issue. Invitations will be extended to business park property owners and tenants.

Toward the end of Tuesday night’s session Mayor Steve Vaus told the room full of congregants that the issue of opening the business park up to churches “is not dead, but it might be on life support.” It was Vaus who earlier this year broached the idea after learning that at least two local churches were interested in securing space in the park.

Sixteen people spoke in favor of changing the business park’s specific plan to permit worship centers with a use permit. Many noted that expanding congregations have historically had problems finding new homes in Poway due to a combination of lack of suitable buildings, restrictive zoning laws and resistance from property owners to sell. Churches represented at the meeting included Canyon Springs Church in Scripps Ranch, The Way Church in Poway, Resurrection Church in Poway and Christ the King Lutheran Church in Carmel Mountain Ranch.

Three people spoke against allowing churches in the business park. They noted a vacancy rate of only 4 percent and said they opposed adjustment of a formula that is working well for both property owners and the city.

As originally conceived in the late-1980s, the business park was intended to house only light industrial, manufacturing and research and development uses. Over the years several adjustments were made, including allowing some retail and recreational uses.

The park’s major tenant is General Atomics, whose many buildings now occupy about half the square footage available in the park.

Vaus argued hard for a change to the South Poway Specific Plan, noting that current zoning definitions allow tattoo parlors and adult entertainment stores, but not churches. Agreeing that the business park has been a “grand success,” Vaus said he felt that adding churches to the use mix would not harm that success.

Councilman John Mullins, stressing that “we’re not anti-church,” said he doubted that allowing them into the park would solve their space problems, since very few vacancies come up.

“This addresses an issue that won’t solve your problem,” Mullin told the audience.

Councilman Dave Grosch worried that a precedent might be set by allowing the first church into the park, one that might “change what the business park looks like.”

Councilman Jim Cunningham expressed concerns on the impact of property tax revenues if churches, which are exempt from paying property taxes, were added to the business park’s mix. The city recently refinanced redevelopment bonds, saving the city millions of dollars, he said. Bond purchasers are counting on the property tax revenue-generating business park, he said.

After about two hours of discussion, the council instructed City Manager Dan Singer and his staff to further research the issue and plan a follow-up public workshop.

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