An unconventional church design that some detractors say resembles a futuristic spaceship was rejected by the Planning Commission during a seven-hour meeting last week.

In a 5-0 vote, the commission denied the architectural plan submitted by St. Lorenzo Catholic Church for a proposed $5-million church complex on the northeast corner of Lemon Avenue and Meadow Pass Road.

However, the commission's verdict on the architectural plan can be appealed to the City Council.

Critics of the proposed design maintain that it is not compatible with the rural atmosphere of the community. But church supporters argue there are numerous examples of contemporary architecture, commercial and residential, in the city.