6-0

o7Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday.f7

CULTURAL ARTS GRANTS

The arts will get a $40,000 boost from the city, after the council

approved grants to groups that will bring ballet, plays art and music

to the city. Following the recommendation of the arts commission, the

council agreed to fund projects such as performances of the

“Nutcracker” for students, concerts by the Pacific Symphony and a

touring play for elementary school students by South Coast Repertory

Theatre.

The arts commission was asked for more than $97,000 in grants and

chose recipients from among those requests.

The vote was 6-0; Councilman Tod Ridgeway was absent.

WHAT IT MEANS

Fourteen events and organizations will get a share of $40,000 in

grant funding for the arts.

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH ZONING

With no discussion or fanfare, the council voted to amend the

general plan and change the zoning to allow a 15,000-square-foot

expansion at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Somewhat of a

formality, it was the final step in the lengthy and controversial

battle between the church, which wanted to add more than 21,000

square feet, and neighbors, who said such an expansion would be too

much.

It took more than two years and, most recently a seven-hour public

hearing, but the council on Aug. 12 voted to allow an expansion.

Tuesday’s vote to adopt the zoning change made it official.

The vote was 6-0; Councilman Tod Ridgeway was absent.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council is finished with the St. Andrew’s issue, unless

neighbors decide to mount a legal challenge to the environmental

report on the expansion.

-- Compiled by Alicia Robinson