Riverbend Church seeks internal expansion of sanctuary; commission forwards CUP with conditions

The Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit (CUP2025002) to allow Riverbend Church, at 230 Meadowview Boulevard, to expand its main sanctuary seating from 190 to 379 by reconfiguring interior space without expanding exterior walls.

Staff Planner Isabella Reynolds reported the property is 1.14 acres in the TND (traditional neighborhood development) zoning district and the church would not alter exterior walls. The proposal removes a foyer, warming kitchen and classroom to create space; two adjoining classrooms would be converted into a new foyer, and restroom facilities would be upgraded. Worship services would continue to be concentrated between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays; occasional weekday small-group meetings are expected. Reynolds noted the site has 81 on-site parking spaces plus a shared-parking agreement for an additional 46 spaces across the street, meeting the minimum parking requirement of 95 spaces at a 1:4 seats ratio; staff found the project meets UDO criteria and recommended approval with conditions.

Michael Maloney, Riverbend Church executive pastor, said the church is growing and prefers to expand internally so it can continue two services rather than add more service times and create broader traffic impacts. A Church representative noted a previously withdrawn, larger 2017 CUP application and said the current proposal is a more conservative internal expansion. Commissioners asked about parking and mitigation; the church said volunteers and staff have been encouraged to use the shared lot and the congregation is open to incrementally increasing on-site parking into a small green space if needed.

A motion to approve CUP2025002 with the staff-recommended conditions passed 7–0. The commission will forward its recommendation to City Council for the June 18 hearing.