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Home My WebLink About2016/04/05 Item 6 - Written Communication-�FqI : CLOP) ,va-t -IC wo 040, ckf_jv�c,�, March 21, 2016 Council Member Pamela Bensoussan Deputy Mayor Chula Vista City Council 276 Fourth Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 pbensoussanPchulavistaca.gov Re: Conditional Use Permit (CUP) #PCC -15 -014 Dear Council Member Pamela Bensoussan: I am writing on behalf of Rancho Vista Church and seek your support in gaining CUP approval for the property located at 2088 Otay Lakes Road Suite numbers 101 and 201 for the following reasons: I have been living in San Diego since the 1990's (while in the Navy and now retired veteran working as a business consultant for Booz Allen & Hamilton) and moved to Eastern Chula Vista in 2003. The reason why my wife and family moved to the Eastlake area, we wanted to build a home in a safe, up and coming family oriented community. During our 13 years in Otay Ranch and Winding Walk areas, we were and continued to be impressed on how the communities, City of Chula Vista and local businesses collectively use family core values in creating the best places to live in the county. What really motivated us is how faith is incorporated into those values based on the number of churches in eastern Chula Vista (and continue to pop -up). A couple of years after our move to eastern Chula Vista, my family and I decided to visit one of those community churches (prior to that we were not a church going family) and just like in the children's nursery rhyme The Three Bears, we visited three until we found one that was just right. Rancho Vista Church, albeit small, meets in a local high school on Sundays and what attracted us the most and keeps us attending, it their big plan for Chula Vista. The small church's big plan is to become a beacon of light for the needy in Chula Vista. Some examples of the needy include children, young mothers, military personnel /families, and homeless, those who fell on hard times, people looking for spiritual healing and even the overlooked in Mexico (migrant workers, orphans and the elderly). 11 years later, my family has been blessed to part of the big plan which, quite honestly, has probably helped us more than those we have helped. What I mean by that, by helping the needy has increased our faith in God and community by witnessing firsthand how unselfish and caring people can be to one another. I heard someone in our Church once say that Chula Vista is not made up of a group of diverse people but its diverse people that make Chula Vista great. Rancho Vista Church is a prime example how a group of diverse people make great things. During our first nine years of attendance (or so) Rancho Vista Church's Pastor (John Rose) discussed the next `Big Plan" for our Church was to move into our own building so that we could become a full -time beacon of light in the community for the needy. The next Big Plan became a reality last year with a lot of pre - planning and prayers it was time for move to the right location. You see, once we ALL agreed to make the move, we assumed it was going to take a miracle to get us into a new building soon. To our amazement, it was a miracle because in only six months we were able to collect enough money, work with the City /lawyers/bank, find a property, start the preliminary escrow process and submit the CUP! Although it wasn't easy, thus .f tr, we remain strong, vigilant, united and after our move will become stronger for the various cormnunities in Chula Vista. During the CUP process there were some mild revisions but overall the City, of Chula Vista administration personnel were very helpful getting it through the process. However, just when we thought it would be approved there was a hurdle. There is a business in the new development area that is apprehensive having a church move next door (so to speak). Being an American, 20 year United States Navy veteran and voter, I know how valuable our freedoms, rights and have fought real hard to maintain them and truly respect the business's right to exercise them about our move. But for some reason I feel they are a bit confused about our motives once we move next door. I also know the media during the past two -three years San Diego has not provided positive reporting on church moves near commercial property too. The only press I saw was how those mega churches moved in and took up all the parking spaces, tied up traffic, are very noisy and causes chaos to local residences. I'm glad to say we are a small church with big plans that won't take up all the parking spaces, make loud noises, tie up traffic nor cause chaos to the local residence; but instead we plan to be a beacon of light for the needy. In fact, most business in the area will not even know where're there because our services are held on Sundays (when most in not all are closed), maybe a service on Saturday night if the community requires it, and like most churches, we might look into, offering small group personal development classes to our community after working hours. Mrs. Pamela Bensoussan during the 15 April City Council meeting please keep in mind our big plans for our community and little impact to our neighbors when making your decision on the future of our CUP. Thank you again for your time and consideration in advance in this matter. Sincerely, / Mark A. Guzman USN Retired 2397 Treehouse Street Chula Vista, CA 91915 Gt7 F',,T c c, f 5, G,o lavesa.ck Cor9:7 yt,fil,f'l/J l Dr'os ru,rn.n,9uielt•dn,coH,nlegrin:2for 9:7 Honorable Councilwoman Patricia Aguilar March 30, 2016 276 4'Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 Re: Conditional Use Permit, Rancho Vista Church Dear Councilwoman Aguilar, I write you as a as a resident of Chula Vista and as a representative of Hilarious Givers Inc. We are excited at the prospect of having Rancho Vista Church establish its permanent home in our neighborhood. I should note that I am not a member Rancho Vista Church; my family attended for a time some years ago, but we are now Eastlake Church members. There is something impermanent and temporary about a congregation that meets in a High School gym; I wanted my family to have a church home that feit like home. But Rancho Vista Church has a special place in our hearts. Rancho Vista Church is where Hilarious Givers got its start. Several years ago, a group of inen who had recently returned from a day trip to a migrant farm labor camp in nearby Maneadero, Baja California held an impromptu meeting on the basketball court after Sunday Service at Rancho Vista Church. The topic of conversation was the contrast between our affluent lifestyle here in Chula Vista, compared to the abject poveRy our neighbors to the south endure. Each of us was on fire to do something to help. But a collection of burning wood is not a bonfire; it must be brought together toward a purpose in order to form a roaring blaze. Such was the formation of Hilarious Givers. Last year that little group, formed after the inspiration of a Rancho Vista Church weekend adventure, fed over a million meals to needy kids and their families in Baja. There have been dozens upon dozens of similar gifts to the community over the few years Rancho Vista Church has been our neighbor. Winter coats coilected and distributed to the homeless on our streets. Feeding outreaches. Summer camps. Holiday gifts made to needy folks every year. And the list not only goes on, but is growing. Through it all, Rancho Vista Church has been strengthening, and Chula Vista has been enriched. I am sure you share with me the satisfaction of seeing our community grow and mature. Over the years, we have welcomed residents, businesses, hospitals, a community college, and perhaps soon, a great university. And places of worship. Just as the economic growth of a city depends upon a healthy business environment, just as the health of a community depends upon its hospitals, just as the culture depends upon parks, libraries and theaters, the spiritual strength of a community depends upon our churches, synagogues and other places of worship. So I join you in celebrating the addition of a permanent home for this valued member of our community. I look forward to being present on April 5 as the Council makes its decision. Piease do not hesitate to call upon me if I may be of some help. Judd Wheeler Director J l/. $as 213704, ('{s.a V.rtq 91921 619-857--0098 l;l p v d[dW.(//GQ/`/OUS l E/`B,0/