Residents of a quiet neighborhood in Riverside County are expressing frustration over a proposed expansion of the Living Truth Christian Fellowship. Founded in 2007, the church, located in Corona, has seen significant growth in popularity. Church administrators are now seeking to expand by constructing a two-story, 55,000-square-foot building at 3475 Hillside Avenue in Norco.
The proposed site is in a rural area, currently zoned for agricultural low-density use, and lined with homes. Longtime resident Marie Haught, who has lived in the area for 62 years, expressed concerns about the noise, pollution, traffic, and crowds the new church could bring. “My property value is going down and so will everybody else’s because nobody is going to want to buy it near a church like that,” Haught told KTLA.
The church’s blueprint includes a seating capacity of 700, classrooms, a playground, over 200 parking spaces, and other amenities. While some residents are excited about the new location, others are worried about the permanent disruption to their peaceful community.
Despite the zoning concerns, Norco’s municipal code allows churches to be built in residential or commercial areas with a conditional use permit, which the church has applied for. A city meeting to address the proposal and residents’ concerns is scheduled for May 14. If the proposal is denied, church officials have the option to appeal the decision.
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