The council discussion centered on whether to uphold a planning commission decision and deny the Alliance Christian Church's application to use a 2.7-acre industrial-zone lot as the new site for its church. On two consecutive votes--the first to deny the appeal, the second to allow it and grant the use permit--the council voted 3-3.

The council did not have all its seven members voting because Councilwoman Melinda Hamilton was absent. The council decided to continue the item until the Dec. 13 council meeting.

The item came just under a month after the city council voted to place a moratorium on applications to use industrial space for recreational or community uses. The council considered the church's request because the proposal came in prior to the placing of the moratorium.

The building in question--at 965 E. Arques Ave.--is roughly 81,400 square feet of space that was used for offices and research and development. It has been vacant for almost five years. The proposal aims to use 30,040 square feet of that space for the church and its attached school. The remaining space would be used for separate offices.

"It's a good idea, but I don't think this area is right for this kind of assembly," said Vice Mayor Ron Swegles.

The biggest concern about the potential church use is that it would be an "incompatible use" with the surrounding area. While the area was originally an industrial zone, it now houses a number of commercial enterprises, including major stores such as Lowe's, Fry's Electronics and Costco. There are also assorted eating establishments and smaller stores.

But there are still a number of industrial companies there. The city tries to avoid mixing those with public gathering places--especially where children are present--because children, the elderly and the infirm are known as "sensitive receptors," who can be hurt by exposure to industrial chemicals and other hazards.

Church member Helen Au--who served on the search committee that found the site--said her church is currently located behind a gas station at a busy intersection in San Jose, so members are well aware of the risks and have accepted them in their current location. She said similar risks in a new location do not present a problem.

But hazards are not the only concern. While Sunnyvale has a surplus of commercial property right now, there is hope that its buildings will once again fill when the economy picks up, and if large chunks of industrial land have been approved for other uses, businesses may not come to Sunnyvale.

"I have a problem with this because taxpayers and councils of the past put this land aside for industrial uses," said resident Harriet Rowe.

At the same time, some on the council were concerned that the building has stood empty for half a decade.

Councilman Fred Fowler--in one of his final public hearings--said the city should "err on the side of allowing the use," because it's a better alternative than allowing an empty building to collect dust.

"I would like to give this a try," said Councilman Otto Lee. "Not only would it bring in a church, but it brings in a good neighbor to our city."

The debate will continue, but Mayor Dean Chu said that the divided council was another reason the city needed more time to look at the issue.

"This is exactly why we placed the moratorium, so we could look at these issues from a city perspective, not a piecemeal one," Chu said.

That continuance means Fowler and Julia Miller will not be able to vote on the matter. Their eight-year term limits on the council ended on Nov. 29.