Let the Church Help the Community

* Re “A ‘Land Blessing’ Tactic in Turf Fight,” Nov. 13:

There is much more at stake than a simple difference in how the Cottonwood Christian Center and the city of Cypress wish to develop Cottonwood’s 18 acres at Katella and Walker streets. What is at stake is how we will define our communities and how our communities can provide for the needs and services of their residents and businesses.

There are more options than taking the land from a church to give it to a private retail developer. What is not being considered is the value of the community services that Cottonwood would bring at no cost to local taxpayers. Their private investment will ultimately provide valuable community services to the city--a day care/preschool for 200, a youth activity center and gymnasium, conference and meeting room space--all of which will be open to residents and businesses. These are the very services that city-funded studies have shown are needed.

In your article, the mayor implies that “it boils down to money.” However, the plans submitted by the church show that by project build-out, the church will produce general-fund revenue to the city of more than $82,000 per year, compared to general-fund costs of about $70,000. This means that the church will provide more than enough revenue to pay for city services.

The article erroneously states that “the church does not . . . bring in sales tax.” To the contrary, more than 80% of recurring city revenue from the project are expected to derive from sales taxes, including nearly $45,000 per year from the church’s bookstore, and a conservative estimate of nearly half that much from additional taxable sales to church attendees, employees, volunteers and visitors by city retailers. In addition, the church is projected to generate nearly $6,500 per year in new hotel taxes, and about $6,800 per year in franchise fees, business-license taxes and interest earnings.

The mayor is quoted as saying that the city “would hope to develop [the project site] into a restaurant area and entertainment center.” While an alternative land use may “return to the city’s coffers” a larger fiscal surplus than the church can produce, the site has been vacant for at least a decade.

Cottonwood stands ready to work with the city. There are creative options by which the church can build its new campus, and by which the city can gain a productive retail center. The final action of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency will define the nature of the community of Cypress.

MEL MALKOFF

Project planner

Malkoff and Associates

Villa Park

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* These days, everyone is preoccupied with ensuring justice and fairness for the sake of democracy in regards to the presidential election. However, unfair maneuvering is occurring right in Cypress under the guise of a “moratorium on the redevelopment zone” in which a church, Cottonwood Christian Center, owns property.

The public has a right to know the city is considering taking over the private property of this church to satisfy plans to build a shopping center (and ultimately more cash), though this church has worked with the city staff for more than two years ensuring its project plans were aligned with city standards.

Why would Cypress even consider taking anyone’s private property, much less a church that has outlined innumerable plans to be an asset to the community through day care and youth programs open to everyone? Why is the city not allowing the people to decide?

Cypress can have a shopping center and a church and still peacefully coexist. There really isn’t a need to trample the basic rights of property owners.

MONIKA MORENO

Cypress