Milton council approves rural event permit for Ebenezer Church with limits on hours, sound and sales

The Milton City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve U25-01, a use permit allowing the new 23,000-square-foot activity center at Ebenezer Methodist Church, 12900 Arnold Mill Road, to operate as a rural event facility for up to 300 attendees under a set of agreed conditions.

The permit, which was the subject of weeks of public comment and post-hearing negotiations, was approved with time, noise and operational restrictions that city staff and the church negotiated with neighbors. The conditions include limits on indoor and outdoor hours, a property-line noise cap, delivery windows, requirements for off-duty police at large events and a notification requirement if the property is sold.

Supporters said the facility could host community programs and training, while nearby residents warned of late-night events, amplified sound and traffic impacts. The council and staff framed the conditions as a compromise intended to let the church run community activities while protecting residential neighbors.

Robin McDonald, a city staff member who presented the item to council, summarized the negotiated conditions and read changes staff and counsel reviewed. Under the final conditions, indoor events are limited to 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday; outdoor pavilion use is limited to 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily; deliveries are limited to 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; and amplified sound must not exceed 45 dBA at the property line. McDonald also read a new condition requiring the church to notify the city within five business days if the property is sold and requiring any new owner to apply for a rural event facility permit before continuing rural-event operations.

Neighbors and community speakers expressed mixed views during general public comment. Samantha Evans, who lives across the street, said she and other neighbors were “absolutely shocked to learn that this property… would now be a commercial venue,” and said the facility was originally described as an activity center in 2020. Ruthie Ellis, another nearby resident, said the building’s outdoor pavilion “is fully equipped with stage lights and state-of-the-art sound system” and questioned the appropriateness of commercial events in a residential area.

Church and event representatives characterized the facility differently. Pastor Glenn Hannigan said the church intends to be “great neighbors,” acknowledged communication missteps and said the building will support weddings, concerts, community theater, farmers markets and nonprofit uses. Paul Crum, the chef contracted to operate the kitchen, described an apprenticeship program he said has placed more than 60% of graduates in jobs and called his operation a community development effort rather than a pure profit business. Michael Maguire, who spoke for the applicant, thanked city staff and neighbors for engaging in the process.

The council added operational safeguards that staff recommended. Events expected to draw more than 100 participants must retain one or more off-duty police officers for traffic management. The staff will also require a sandwich-board sign at a Cox Road entrance indicating whether the activity that day is a “church event” or a “rural event.” The condition limiting amplified sound to 45 dBA at the property line was included in the final package presented to council.

Council Member Phil Cranmer moved approval; Council Member Carol Cookerly seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The permit is tied to several specific physical and operational parameters: the site is a 6.61-acre property with an existing 23,000-square-foot activity center and an outdoor pavilion. The council closed the public hearing at a prior meeting and considered only the zoning action and the negotiated conditions Monday. Staff told council the public hearing had been held on May 5 and that the council was acting on the zoning agenda item that evening.

The council’s approval leaves in place the limitations council adopted; staff will monitor compliance and the condition requiring sale notification means any future owner must pursue a separate permit before continuing rural-event operations under the same classification.