The Goleta Planning Commission on Monday rejected a proposal to build a new church campus next to Christ Lutheran Church on Covington Way, siding with neighborhood residents concerned about traffic, noise, and the project’s compatibility with the surrounding community.
The decision deals a significant setback to Anthem Chapel, which has been operating since 2018 and currently holds weekly Sunday services at Goleta Valley Junior High School. The proposed campus would have provided the congregation with its first permanent home.
Split Decision
The meeting concluded with two votes on the project at 6595 Covington Way. Commissioners voted 2-1 to approve dividing the 3.4-acre single-family residential zoned site into two parcels but did not approve the conditional use permit needed to move forward with construction.
The decision came despite the Goleta Design Review Board unanimously approving the revised project in late May where it determined the project was consistent with zoning ordinances…