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Kent County Board of Adjustment approves variance to legalize New Hope Pentecostal Church carport
Summary
On Sept. 18, 2025, the Kent County Board of Adjustment granted a conditional variance allowing a carport at New Hope Pentecostal Church to remain 19 feet, 9 inches from the front property line rather than the 40-foot setback. The board required that the structure not be enclosed.
The Kent County Board of Adjustment on Sept. 18 granted a variance to New Hope Pentecostal Church to legalize a carport that sits 19 feet, 9 inches from the front property line, short of the 40-foot front setback required by the county's zoning rules. The board approved the variance 6-0 with one member recused and attached a condition that the carport not be enclosed.
Hearing officer Jessie Lindenberg opened the public hearing on application A-25-26 and described the request as a variance from the 40-foot front setback to legalize an existing carport on the southeast corner of Sharon Hill Drive and Cahoon Branch Road in Levy Court District 2, in the AR zoning district. Amanda Coursey, who said she is an elder at New Hope Pentecostal Church and was representing the pastor, told the board the carport has been in place for about 25 years and is attached to the church building. "We hope that everybody just helps us to continue to do the work that we've been doing there for 25 years or more," Coursey said.
Coursey testified she was not aware of complaints from neighbors and said removing the structure could damage the church building. Board members asked about the carport's function; Coursey said she thought it provided overhead cover for people entering and exiting the building, including the elderly and handicapped.
Board members discussed the history and neighborhood context and noted no testimony in opposition was offered during the public hearing. The board's motion approved the variance based on the staff recommendation and public testimony, with multiple members citing financial hardship and the long-standing nature of the structure in their votes. The approval included a condition, reflected in staff recommendation and confirmed during the meeting, that the carport not be enclosed.
The board's approval was recorded during the business meeting; the hearing officer reminded applicants that written notice of the board's decision will be mailed and that, if approved, applicants may apply for any required permits prior to receiving the mailed notice. The county's public notice for the meeting had been published Aug. 31, 2025, in the Delaware State News.
