Forest Park planning staff told the Mayor and Council that an applicant has requested a conditional use permit to open a place of worship at 528 Forest Parkway, Suite G, a 1,270-square-foot unit within a strip plaza that includes nine other business suites.

Staff said the applicant proposed administrative hours Monday
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evening activities from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. Staff reported estimated Sunday attendance of about 20 to 30 members and Friday/Saturday evening attendance of 50 to 60 or more. Planners concluded the site lacked sufficient parking and that the influx of vehicles would significantly affect traffic entering and exiting the lot on Forest Parkway. The City of Forest Park Planning Commission voted on Dec. 9, 2024, to deny the permit request.

During the work session, Councilwoman Akins Wells raised the issue of a possible moratorium on storefront places of assembly. Staff and council discussed that a moratorium could be drafted to pause acceptance of new applications for storefront places of assembly while the zoning code is revised; staff suggested a standard moratorium period of six months but said the length would be for the council to set. Council directed staff and the city attorney to draft a moratorium ordinance for the council to consider; no moratorium ordinance was adopted at this meeting.

Council members and staff said the proposed use raised concerns about parking supply and impacts on adjacent commercial tenants; staff reported the site would allow roughly six to seven parking spaces per unit. Staff emphasized the difference between storefront conversions and stand-alone houses of worship, saying an existing church building seeking occupancy would not necessarily be affected by a moratorium designed for storefront places of assembly.

The matter will appear on a regular session agenda for a public hearing; council members said they wanted an ordinance returned for consideration rather than immediate action at the work session.