The City of Goleta’s Design Review Board will be conducting a Conceptual Review of a proposed new church development. The public is invited to attend the meeting scheduled for August 12th at 3:00 p.m.
The property owner, Christ Lutheran Church (CLC) has submitted a proposal to split the property located at 6595 Covington Way in Goleta, into two lots to allow the construction of a new church and associated improvements for Anthem Chapel (AC).
The proposed project includes splitting a nearly 3.5 acre lot into two separate parcels. Parcel 1 is proposed to be 0.881 acres and would be the site of the existing CLC facilities including the sanctuary, parking lot, and accessory structures. Parcel 2 is proposed to be 2.542 acres for Anthem Chapel.
The project plan for Parcel 2 includes a new “agrarian-style,” 2-story 22,038 squarefoot church with a sanctuary/assembly area, classrooms, daycare/preschool, offices, exterior patios, play yards and recreation areas.
It will also include a 125-space parking lot including 7 ADA, 6 EV parking spaces, and 25 EV ready spaces. There will also be short and long-term bicycle parking and charging stations, as well as modification of the existing driveway apron and proposal of new driveway entrance on Los Carneros Road.
Additional requests include approval to exceed the maximum height of the zoning district from 25-feet to 31-feet and a request to reduce Monarch Butterfly ESHA buffer setback from 100-feet to 50-feet.
The Monarch butterfly ESHA buffer refers to a designated area surrounding a Monarch butterfly habitat (ESHA) that is protected from development and other potentially harmful activities. This buffer zone is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the monarch’s habitat and ensuring their survival, particularly during overwintering and migration periods.
Following Conceptual Review and the preparation of the environmental analysis for the project, the project will be considered by the Design Review Board again to make a recommendation to the Planning Commission on the design element. The Planning Commission will be the review authority for the various project components including the environmental analysis.
The date of the Planning Commission meeting has not been determined and additional notice will be provided at a later date.
The project was filed by agent Steve Whelton, of Suzanne Elledge Planning and Permitting Services (SEPPS) on behalf of Lars Linton, agent for Christ Lutheran Church, the property owner and Anthem Chapel, applicant.
The meeting will be held in person at Goleta City Hall Council Chambers 130 Cremona Drive and via the Zoom platform (link available in agenda). The public may also view the meeting on Goleta Channel 19 and/or online at www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas. The agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting on the City website.
Written comments regarding the design aspects of this project may be submitted to planningmeetings@cityofgoleta.gov for Design Review Board consideration. Comments must be submitted by noon of the date of the hearing.
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I noticed Anthem Chapel says they’re associated with the Calvary Chapel movement (I believe there’s a large Calvary Chapel in SB). Are both these “chapels” a part of the “charismatic” evangelical movement that is pro-MAGA/Trump and have proliferated across the country?
I can’t recall where I heard about this. Might have been before the 2024 election when there was a rift in one of the large churches. Just seeing if there are any dots to connect.
AS an anti-religionist, I am pained. Oh well. Each to their own — until it affects others. The church is Fundamentalist. Their tenets get into marriage and Israel, but don’t directly discuss evangelism (the activity of sharing their beliefs).
https://www.anthemchapel.com/statement-of-faith
Given that many churches have become involved in politics and secular matters, I wouldn’t take website statements of faith like Anthem’s as a clue as to where they stand wrt Trump/MAGA policies and actions. Christian nationalism is pervasive these days – that’s one big reason Trump got elected.
If you do a little Googling, there’s lots of evidence the Calvary Chapel movement (which Anthem Chapel says they’re associated with) and other “charismatic” churches endorse Trump and his actions:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/thousand-oaks-charlie-kirks-pastor-110054129.html
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/new-apostolic-reformation-christian-movement-trump/681092/
https://la.adl.org/news/me-southern-california-church-leaders-pushing-political-extremes/
But figuring out where a church stands isn’t easy which is why I’m willing to ask questions rather than pointing fingers right away. I must say I’m skeptical of mega-churches like the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa.
ANTIRELIGION ANON – that is troubling. I am generally of the believe what you want faith, but the anti-LGBQT and pro-Israel hardlines here cause harm to others. When people commit to staunch ideologies backed by their unwavering faith, we get people who think they’re Christians, but have lost sight of what Jesus truly preached according to the Bible. What’s worse, is these people vote. This is how others are harmed.
I consider myself agnostic and don’t mind what others believe, but when it comes to alienating and wanting to harm others, not ok.
Tax the churches, especially like this one, like any other business.
A church is a good neighbor…so please do not misunderstand my comment…With all of the design talent in our world here, that concept sketch is a D- of design quality. The original church is an elegant, clean example of mid century design-(the steeple is a work of art)……So, as we used to say in architecture school…time to start over. I hope the planning commission can make the point for insisting on a design that honors the existing building as opposed to the proposed inelegant barns that would shame any farmer. Suggest the church reach out to the local design community or some contribution of help.
They’re not getting rid of the existing church. This is an additional church compound being added to the south of the existing church to fill up the parcel.
Obviously, churches are big business. Wish they were taxed as such.
A church may be a good neighbor, but I sure wouldn’t want to live next to or across the street from or even in the neighborhood of one that seeks:
“sanctuary for a 500-person congregation, daycare classrooms for up to 110 children and youth programs, and a 125-space parking lot, according to the project description. Church leaders plan on having three services on Sundays.”
Their side of the application is in the news article.