Public hearing on Midland church proposal highlights septic and event-capacity questions; staff recommends postponement

Fauquier County planning staff presented a public hearing Thursday on a special-exception and special-permit application by Church of God at Midland for a major place of worship and an annual Class B event on an approximately 60-acre property near the intersection of Catlett Road and Metz Road.

The application seeks a category-6 special exception for a major place of worship and a category-9 special permit for Class B events longer than three days. The applicant proposes a main church building of roughly 35,000 square feet that would include a 325-seat auditorium, meeting rooms, a fellowship hall, bathrooms and a kitchen; an auxiliary building of about 17,500 square feet; outdoor recreation areas; 261 parking spaces; and an underground water tank for fire suppression.

Attendance and event scheduling were the focus of the hearing. The applicant clarified that they intend to hold two Sunday services with 325 seats each (325 attendees at each service), a Wednesday service with 325 attendees, a Tuesday “bridal study” with 30 attendees, Friday youth services with 50 attendees and…