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Commissioner asks staff to review denial of Atonement Free Lutheran Church expansion near 67th and 172nd
Summary
Commissioner Sun asked city staff to investigate why Atonement Free Lutheran Church has been prevented from expanding its sanctuary toward the fence line adjacent to the Centennial Apartments, saying community members report past approvals were later declined; city staff said they will look into the matter and report back.
Commissioner Sun asked Arlington City staff to investigate why Atonement Free Lutheran Church’s proposed expansion toward the fence line adjoining the Centennial Apartments at 67th and 172nd has been turned down in recent years.
The request came during the Arlington City Commission meeting on Jan. 23, 2025, after several community members contacted Sun seeking either a verbal explanation or clarification about the denials. "They were asking for at least a verbal or some sort of remark about why they can't expand certain places like their sanctuary to the fence line," Sun said.
Why it matters: the question touches on land-use and zoning enforcement at a neighborhood site where a church and an adjacent apartment complex meet. Commissioners and residents sought clarity on whether denials were driven by zoning rules, wetland or wildlife protections, or other constraints.
City staff responded that they have met with the church multiple times and do not recall denying the project. "We've met with them multiple times, so I'm not sure where we've been denying them. They've never been denied anything," a city staff member said. Staff also said the matter is not a Planning Commission item and that they would follow up with additional information.
No formal action or vote was taken on the item during the meeting. Commissioners did not introduce new applications or amendments at the session; staff indicated they would review the project history and return with clarification.
Clarifying details captured in the meeting record include the project location (corner of 67th and 172nd), the adjacent property name (Centennial Apartments) and community reports that the church had been told it could expand in the past but later received denials. The transcript does not include a definitive citation of which code provision or specific denial letter led to the refusals.
Next steps: City staff said they will investigate the file and report back to the commission; no timeline for that follow-up was specified in the meeting record.
