Milton council defers decision on Ebenezer Methodists proposed rural event facility after neighbors object to noise, hours and commercial use

Milton City Council on Monday deferred consideration of a use permit that would allow Ebenezer Methodist Church to operate a commercial "rural event facility" serving up to 300 people at its new activity center.

The council postponed a final decision until its May 19 meeting after residents raised concerns about outdoor amplified sound, late hours and the lease of the church building to a third-party caterer for commercial events.

Supporters, including Michael McGuire, who identified himself as chair of the church trustees, said the new 23,000-square-foot Pardue Family Foundation Center will be used for church activities and limited community programming and that the church has signed a lease with a professional caterer, Gracious Gatherings. "Whatever we do here tonight or whatever the conditions are, as long as legally it works, we'll apply to the whole church," McGuire told council, adding the church agreed to limit event size to 300 attendees and to require off-duty police officers for events…