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San Clemente council grants Christ Lutheran Church exception to weekly beach services
Summary
After a public hearing with dozens of speakers, the City Council unanimously granted an exception allowing Christ Lutheran Church to continue weekly Sunday services at North Beach while noting future city ordinances will apply to the group.
The San Clemente City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to grant Christ Lutheran Church an exception to the city’s special-event rules so the congregation may continue its weekly Sunday morning services at North (North) Beach.
City staff had denied the 2025 special-event application because changes to the municipal code now limit repetitive beach events to 30 days per year; the church had sought to hold weekly gatherings that total roughly 52 occurrences. Samantha Wiley, the city’s beaches, parks and recreation director, told council the staff denial followed the revised code but emphasized the congregation has been a long-standing, compliant permit holder and “this has nothing to do with their past habits as a permit holder.”
The council heard more than two hours of public comment before acting, with dozens of San Clemente residents, clergy and church members describing the beach service as a long-running local tradition and a source of community support. Donna Vadrine, identified in public comment as council president of Christ Lutheran Church, said the service “is more than a service. It is a sanctuary where locals, visitors and those facing hardship find connection and hope.” Clergy from other local congregations, including Father Patrick of St. Clement’s by the Sea Episcopal Church and Pastor Rich Ager of Christ Lutheran, urged the council to approve the appeal.
Several residents and some council members also raised concerns about nonreligious activity associated with North Beach gatherings, including food distribution and other social services that some nearby residents said attract people sleeping on or near the beach. Council members said that distinction mattered in their deliberations: multiple council members said they were comfortable allowing the religious services while seeking ways to limit other on‑site activities that have raised neighborhood complaints.
Councilmembers voted to approve the church’s appeal and to grant an exception. The council also made clear the exception will be subject to any future city ordinances or permit rules that apply to groups using the beach; staff will return to enforce or apply any new rules citywide. The council did not adopt additional conditions on the permit during Tuesday’s action.
The decision preserves the church’s early‑morning worship on the sand and directs staff to monitor related activities and bring any future citywide beach rules back to council for consideration.
