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Urgent: Lakewood Plans to Redesignate Multiple Church Properties for Residential Use

Writer: AiNews
AiNews
1 day ago
2 min read

Public Hearing: Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

Location: Lakewood City Council Chambers 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, CA 90712



The City of Lakewood Planning and Environment Commission will hold a public hearing this Thursday evening to consider a land-use and zoning proposal affecting multiple churches, schools, and religious properties throughout the city.


The proposal includes:

  • General Plan Amendment 2026-1

  • Zone Change No. 115


Under the proposal, the city would redesignate the listed properties from Low Density Residential to Medium/High Density Residential and change their zoning from R-1 (Single-Family Residential) to M-F-R (Multiple-Family Residential).


City documents and public records show that most of the ten sites involved are Christian churches, along with Catholic and Orthodox churches, church schools, and other long-standing religious institutions.


The locations listed on the city’s agenda include:

  1. 3507–3601 St. Pancratius Place The St. Pancratius Catholic Church and school campus. St. Pancratius School, located at 3601 St. Pancratius Place, is a Catholic TK–8 school.

  2. 4318 Bellflower Boulevard City housing-planning records identify the site as church property.

  3. 4625–4645 Woodruff Avenue 4625 is a residential property; 4645 is church property.

  4. 5025–5035 Hedda Street 5025 is a residential property; 5035 is home to Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle.

  5. 5730 South Street Home to Trinity United Methodist Church and Arc En Ciel Preschool.

  6. 6150 Bellflower Boulevard Home to The Journey @ Mayfair Community Church.

  7. 6236–6248 Woodruff Avenue The Cityline Church campus.

  8. 6440 Del Amo Boulevard Christ the Redeemer American Coptic Orthodox Church.

  9. 6500 Del Amo Boulevard Lakewood Church of Christ.

  10. 6540 Del Amo Boulevard Bible Believers Missionary Baptist Church.


This is not simply a proposal to replan vacant land. The city is considering changes affecting properties that have long been used by churches, religious organizations, educational institutions, and the surrounding community.


One notable example is The Journey Church at 6150 Bellflower Boulevard. The church has served the community since 1937—nearly two decades before Lakewood was officially incorporated as a city.


At Thursday’s meeting, the Planning and Environment Commission will consider whether to adopt resolutions recommending that the Lakewood City Council approve the General Plan Amendment and zoning change.


How the Public Can Participate


  • In-Person Comments

The public hearing will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at:

Lakewood City Council Chambers – The Centre5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, CA 90712

A speaker sign-in sheet will be available at the meeting. According to the city agenda, each speaker is generally limited to three minutes per agenda item, unless modified by the chair.


  • Email Comments

Written public comments may also be submitted by email to:

Comments received by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be provided to the Planning and Environment Commission.


“But the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.”
Daniel 11:32


 
 
 

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