Church fights city permit

Praise Christian Center on Tuesday filed a motion asking the courts

to declare the city’s conditional use permit for its building

unconstitutional.

It is the latest move in a lengthy battle that began when the Fire

Department told the congregation in December 2001 that they could not

hold services in the building at the corner of Goldenwest Street and

Ellis Avenue because it violated safety codes.

Services were moved to an outdoor tent, where they are still being

held.

In September 2002, the Planning Commission granted the church a

conditional use permit but required that a list of upgrades be made

to the building. A fee of $44,809 for road improvements was also

required.

Leaders of Praise Christian Center say that a long list of

restrictions and fees were aimed to run the church out of the

building. City leaders deny the accusation and say the building does

not conform to safety codes.

The church filed a lawsuit against the city in October 2003

alleging discrimination. “We believe the city doesn’t really want a

church on this property and, because they don’t want a church,

they’re going to make it as difficult as possible for the church,”

said Robert Tyler, the church’s attorney.

A list of conditions imposed on the church by the city violated

the Religious Land Use and Institutional Persons Act, which makes it

illegal to regulate a church differently than any other type of

assembly use, said Derek Anunciation, the church’s pastor. City

leaders deny charges of discrimination.

“The restrictions were not imposed based on religious use

whatsoever,” City Atty. Jennifer McGrath said. “They were based on

the type of use.”

Restrictions, she said, were related to fire safety issues, health

and welfare and building code issues.

But Tyler argues that certain restrictions, such as a required

kitchen area that the church had never planned, were arbitrary and

unnecessary.

The church is seeking to have the permit declared unconstitutional

and to have the court eliminate at least 13 of the required

conditions.

The court hearing is set for March 8.

City begins flushing

the water system

Residents may see a slight discoloration in their water, now that

the city has started its biannual flushing of the water system.

Starting on the north side of the city and moving south, crews on

Tuesday began opening fire hydrants and flowing large, vast amounts

of water through the pipes to wash out sand, dirt and debris.

“We do it every two years,” said Howard Johnson, the city’s water

production supervisor. “We go through and move a large volume of

water through the system to flush out the pipes.”

The program helps maintain water quality throughout the system,

Johnson said.

He estimates it will take the crew three to four months to

complete.

“We’re very sensitive about wasting water and we’re very sensitive

about ensuring water quality,” Johnson said. “It’s a very common

practice.”

Most of the flushing will occur during the day, when the majority

of homeowners are at work. But Johnson alerts those who see a slight

change in color or odor of the water not to be alarmed.

“Discoloration is not harmful whatsoever,” Johnson said. “Let the

water run for a short time and it will go away.”

For information, call the Utilities Division at (714) 536-5921.

‘Father of Huntington Beach parks’ honored

A former director of the city’s recreation and parks department,

known as the “the father of Huntington Beach parks,” will have a park

bench donated in his honor on the 21st anniversary of his death.

Norm Worthy, who served as director of the department from 1954 to

1979, was the inspiration for Worthy Community Park at Yorktown

Avenue and Main Street.

During his tenure, he acquired 626 acres of parkland and developed

57 park sites for Surf City.

Worthy died Feb. 20, 1983. The ceremony will be at noon Feb. 20 at

Huntington Beach Central Park.

The Norm Worthy bench will be placed in the middle of the park.

His name and the designation “Man of Vision” will be etched on the

bench. Attendees should park off Central Park Drive and follow the

markers on the path.

Athletes will tip off at new Murdy courts

Athletes, city officials and community members will celebrate a

revamped Murdy Community Center on Saturday morning with a ceremonial

tip-off.

The center boasts four brand new basketball courts and new public

restrooms and landscaping.

“Everything’s upgraded,” said Chris Slama, recreation supervisor

at the park. “We’ve got newer equipment. It’s all brand new hoops and

backboards, which we were definitely in need of.”

Lights with timers that stay on until 10 p.m. are also expected to

draw adults for evening pick-up games, Slama said.

City leaders used $1 million from a 2000 bond, the Safe

Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection

Act, for improvements to the Murdy Community Center.

Improvements at the center included relocating four basketball

courts, creating a parking lot, adding a 250-square-foot restroom,

removing existing dirt mounds and creating additional grass areas at

the park along Goldenwest Street between Warner and Heil avenues.

The center will celebrate the grand opening of the new courts at

10:15 a.m. Saturday. Four teams of children in the first through

sixth grades will start at the same time.

“I’ll get all four games ready,” Slama said. “I’m going to stand

in the center and have everyone tip off at the same time.”

More games will begin at 11:30 a.m.

For more information, contact Murdy Community Center at (714)

960-8895.

-- Compiled by Jenny Marder