Planning Commission denies megachurch requests

Denise Cardinal

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 1997 | 10:16 a.m.

Canyon Ridge Christian Church is not turning the other cheek after the Las Vegas Planning Commission voted to deny its request to install four modular buildings on its property.

Members of the yet-to-be-built house of worship, at the corner of Lone Mountain Road and Jones Boulevard, asked the Las Vegas City Council Monday to reconsider the commission's denial.

About 30 people who are neighbors of the church showed up to protest the request. They were partially successful. The council approved the addition of an office building but rejected the request for three classrooms, which the church says it needs for Sunday School and day care.

The city's planning commission had previously denied the request for all four buildings and the city's planning staff had also recommended denial.

It's not the first -- and probably not the last -- time the church and its neighbors have been in front of the council regarding building plans.

Just over a year ago, several residents urged the council to deny Canyon Ridge's plans for a 49,500-square-foot church on its 30-acre parcel. The council then approved the plan, with certain restrictions. The size was later reduced to 48,000 square feet.

Monday's appeal by the church, like the previous dealings with the council, had several neighbors voicing their concerns and support.

"I'm tired of coming down here to talk about this," said Lillian Jacobson, a resident from the church's neighborhood. "Anything they've done, they've done only after several meetings."

"This isn't against the church," said Mary Pace, a resident who lives near the site. "It's against an unwarranted extension of any size. If you haven't seen how large it already is, I suggest you do."

The increasing size of the church, sometimes referred to as a megachurch, has been the biggest gripe of its neighbors.

The first phase, set for completion in March 1998, is about 30,000 square feet. Another 18,000-square-foot addition is planned for phase 2, scheduled for completion in early 2000. The church anticipates about 1,500 people attending Sunday services.

"It's going to be beautiful," countered Robert Duvall, a nearby resident and church member. "It's an extremely positive thing to be built here. It's had a positive impact on me and my kids."

"They (the church) are a good neighbor," said Patricia Reed, a church-goer and neighborhood resident. "It's a great thing to do with this land."

After hearing comments from both sides, Councilman Larry Brown, who represents the area, asked that the council approve one modular building for the offices, but not to allow the classrooms to be built.

"You should live within your means," Brown said. "When you have enough money to finish the rest of the building, then build it."

The pastor of the congregation, Kevin Odor, and the attorney representing the church, Bob Gronauer, said the fast-paced growth of the congregation would force the pair to go back to the council in six months to ask for the remainder of the modular buildings for the classrooms.

"We just don't have anywhere to put those kids," Odor said.

Brown, however, said he "felt strongly" that the church should not come back and ask for the modular classrooms later.

The City Council voted unanimously for the one building, to the dismay of Pace and other residents who spoke in opposition of any addition to the church.

"I'm not happy," she said. "But that's a compromise, I guess. Nobody's happy."

Odor said despite Brown's warning, he anticipates having to go back and get the additional modulars for more space in the future.

"We're pleased to put our office and administrative staff on the premises," he said. "It's a good decision."