The trouble began after Christ Lutheran Church rented its back lot to Anthem Chapel. It was the COVID years, so Anthem put up a tent for its services, raising the roof with spirited music to bring in the faithful and the curious. The church may have increased attendance with this strategy, but it raised the hackles of nearby residents who still remember the amplified racket that the church leaders refused to tame.
It all came to a head at Goleta’s Planning Commission on June 22. Anthem plans to buy 2.5 acres of the 3.3-acre lot at 6596 Covington Way and build a new church totalling 20,000 square feet. Proponents spoke of Anthem’s good works, while opponents described issues of traffic, parking, safety, and monarch butterfly habitat. The commissioners approved the lot split but voted two-to-one against the conditional use permit needed to raise a new church. Anthem said it would appeal to City Council.
Anthem has rented the undeveloped lot from Christ Lutheran since 2018 and entered into a lease-to-buy arrangement in 2023. Its sole Sunday service is currently held at Goleta Valley Junior High School’s auditorium, with larger holiday services at Dos Pueblos High’s performing arts center…