DOWNEY - Cornerstone Christian Worship Center received permission Wednesday to host an outdoor carnival on Saturday that will include game booths, a petting zoo, horse rides, food and live entertainment.The Planning Commission approved the church's special event permitpplication but with the added conditions that litter be picked up during the event, animal waste be picked up immediately and stored in a closed container, and church restrooms be made available to visitors. The decision was unanimous, 4-0, with commissioner Louis Morales absent. City staff members said residents near the church at 9001 Paramount Blvd. should not be able to smell the animals, and the live entertainment stage and speakers will be positioned "such that noise should not have an impact on the area." The carnival is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Saturday and end at 6 p.m. "Due to the location of the event on the property, staff is not concerned about significant impacts to surrounding properties," community development director Brian Saeki wrote in a report to the Planning Commission. The carnival will take place within the easterly portion of the church's parking lot. Senior Pastor Steven Jordan, speaking at the planning commission meeting, said the church has been hosting the carnival "about 10 years now, and we haven't met an angry neighbor yet." The church hosts a similar carnival in October but without the animals. "I think we're all in agreement on this; it's a great event and great for the community," said commissioner Michael Murray. -Eric Pierce, city editor

********** Published: April 21, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 1