In a 6-2 vote on Tuesday night, the San Diego City Council denied a proposal by All Peoples Church to construct a substantial church in Del Cerro, just north of I-8 and College Avenue. The contentious decision drew both supporters and opponents to the project during the council meeting.
The proposed plan, which featured designs from Kenneth D. Smith Architect & Associates, would have developed a nearly six-acre site with a 54,476 square foot church and sanctuary building, accommodating 900 people, along with additional facilities such as a multi-purpose room/gym, classrooms, offices and a two-story, 71,000 square foot parking garage, according to city documents.
Plans also show that the site is near a number of residential properties. Also situated nearby are a gas station, City-owned open space and Temple Emanu-El.
During the meeting, All Peoples Church Pastor Robert Herber did not give a clear idea as to when plans for the project might be revisited. While the project faced opposition, those against it now look to the future of the land, with the next steps for the contested plot awaiting determination.
