Zoning board unanimously backs Maranatha Assembly of God's expansion and removes 10-year expiration from CUP

The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 7-0 to approve an amendment to a conditional use permit for Maranatha Assembly of God that allows an expansion of the church building at 2505 North Ringwood Road in McHenry. The board also amended the staff-proposed condition that would have set a 10-year expiration for the conditional use; the board replaced that condition with language making the permit unlimited in duration "unless its use is abandoned." The item will be forwarded to the McHenry County Board for final action on Oct. 21.

Cameron Ward, lead pastor at Maranatha Assembly of God, told the board the expansion is intended to address accessibility and capacity issues and to create an "equipping and training center" for ministry and small-group leaders. "We are just excited about the community and what the Lord's doing," Ward said. He told the board the existing building presents challenges for handicapped access and shared restroom arrangements for children and adults; the expansion would allow single-level access and additional sanctuary seating. Ward said the church has been serving at the site since about 1986-1988 and that recent attendance has been around 50 to 60 people with hopes to grow; he and staff estimated the new space would allow roughly 168 seats and accommodate services and occasional funerals or weddings.

Senior Planner Anna Kurtzman presented the staff report and recommended conditions. Staff noted the property is currently zoned E-1 with a conditional use permit for a place of worship (original permit 88-05). Staff recommended standard conditions including a 10-year expiration from the date of the County Board approval, substantial compliance with the site plan stamp received Aug. 4, 2025, and development in substantial compliance with elevational drawings prepared by RB Custom Designs Inc. dated July 31, 2025. The board amended condition one to remove the 10-year expiration so the conditional use permit will remain in effect indefinitely unless the church abandons the use; the amendment passed 7-0.

Board members asked about lighting and signage; Ward said wall-pack exterior lights would be used and that the proposed signage would be building-mounted and "not lit at this time." Board members also asked whether the building would be constructed within 10 years; Ward said the church is fundraising and working with builders and expects to build "within 10 years." Staff and several board members noted the addition is modest relative to the site's 8 acres and found the proposal met ordinance standards for a place of worship. The board's motion to approve the conditional use as amended was moved by Mr. Eldridge and seconded by Mr. Schnabel; the vote to forward the petition to the County Board with a positive recommendation was 7-0.

Key details: property address 2505 North Ringwood Road; parcel PIN 09-21-300-031 (as recorded in the hearing); site plan stamp dated Aug. 4, 2025; elevational drawings dated July 31, 2025; staff report cited the conditional use permit number 88-05 and the ordinance standards for places of worship. Staff also confirmed no objections were received from adjacent municipalities. The board record notes the item will be on the County Board agenda Oct. 21 and that because of the ZBA's positive recommendation the petitioner does not need to attend the county meeting.

The board approved the application and amended conditions 7-0; the County Board will consider final approval on Oct. 21.