Cypress Citizens Should Control City’s Growth

Re “The Real Issue Is Revenue,” Aug. 11:

Your editorial on the Cottonwood vs. Cypress case states that “the real issue is revenue,” but the more fundamental one is: Can citizens control the development of their own cities? Continuing a long tradition, Cypress residents voted overwhelmingly in 1990 for commercial development in the redevelopment zone near the Los Alamitos Race Course.

But Cottonwood Christian Center came in and picked off the prime commercial location in the redevelopment zone, without first getting a permit to build a church on it, and even in the face of a warning from the city that a permit for a church probably wouldn’t be granted. It’s clear that Cottonwood intended from the outset to stiff-arm its tax-free land use through our zoning, under the cloak of religious freedom. It’s galling that this tactic seems to be working with the judge and your editorial writer.

The judge’s comments and your editorial completely disregard the vote of Cypress residents for commercial development. Don’t our votes count for anything?

Earl R. Beck

Cypress

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Well, of course, the real issue is revenue--revenue to support schools and many other activities important to all citizens of Cypress. Isn’t that what all cities seek? I would hardly place Cypress in the “cash-strapped cities” category, as you put it. The city has built a solid tax base with its industrial park. We citizens of Cypress appreciate that your editorial does admit we are not a godless city and do have many churches here. So, people, lay off the bigotry baloney!

Regarding eminent domain: This is not an illegal process and the Cottonwood Church realized such a thing existed when it acquired the land. For the uninformed, Cypress is not taking away a church, as none exists on the land. Also, Cottonwood is being offered compensation as well as the opportunity to acquire property not far away.

My interest in all this? Not Costco, as I would probably never shop there. Not Cottonwood, particularly after the mean-spirited literature that was mailed and comments by some of its members.

What I would like is for this whole mess to be resolved so that the media and residents of communities removed from the situation will stop dumping on my city.

Jack Mason

Cypress