Planning and Zoning Commission accepts C3 Church appeal and grants variance for larger accessory structure at 6350 Waterloo Road

The Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously April 14 to accept an appeal from C3 Church Assembly of God for 6350 Waterloo Road and to grant a variance allowing a new accessory storage structure that exceeds the zoning code’s 50% replacement limit.

Commissioners approved both the appeal and the related variance after hearing from church representative Chris Kurz and from staff. Chris Kurz told the commission the existing storage shed is “falling apart” and described repeated repairs, broken windows and deteriorating floors that prompted the church to seek a replacement and to request additional enclosed storage for growing needs. Kurz said the church intends future redevelopment and expects any rezoning or larger expansion to be at least two years away.

The appeal asked the commission to interpret Chapter 11.49.03 of the zoning code to permit a new accessory structure on the site. A representative of the law department told the commission one condition tied to accepting the appeal is that any extension not increase the total floor area by more than 50%—a condition linked to the separate variance request. Staff and the applicant discussed permitting a rebuild that would be under 2,000 square feet so it could proceed administratively if the variance were not granted.

Staff presented the variance request (VA-25-002) seeking approval to construct a roughly 1,800-square-foot structure, about half of which would be fully enclosed and half a roofed but open equipment area. Staff said the property’s roughly 15–16 acres, semi-rural location and existing exceptional-use (EU) zoning justify special circumstances and do not result from actions of the current applicant; staff recommended approval. The commission discussed proximity to neighboring properties, lighting, sound and easement locations; Kurz said lighting would be internal or under roof and that the building would not be used for amplified sound.

After discussion the commission accepted the appeal in a roll-call vote of five yes votes and later approved variance VA-25-002 by the same 5–0 tally. Staff noted that, if a variance had not been granted, the church could rebuild a structure up to 50% larger than the existing shed without returning to the Planning and Zoning Commission if it remained under 2,000 square feet.

The commission’s approval requires staff and legal follow-up to prepare findings of fact and conclusions of law, and to tie the appeal record to the variance outcome.