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Council approves land use change and rezoning for Bridge Church expansion on South Grand
Summary
The council approved a land use plan amendment and rezoning at 131–240 South Grand Avenue to allow Bridge Church to expand. The planning commission recommended approval; neighbors raised traffic and lighting concerns. One council member abstained because of church membership.
The Common Council on Sept. 2 approved a land use plan amendment and rezoning for Bridge Church’s properties at 131 and 240 South Grand Avenue, clearing the way for an addition to the church.
The council voted to change the properties’ land use designation from commercial to civic and institutional and to rezone them from B‑4 (professional office) to I‑1 (institutional). The Planning Commission had recommended approval.
Kurt Weebelaus, the owner’s representative for Bridge Church, said the properties will continue their current uses and described how the addition will alter site circulation. He told the council two existing curb cuts on Grand Avenue will be closed because the addition will be built over that area; the church’s main entrance will be used more and the northern property will be right‑in/right‑out on Grand. Weebelaus said construction is planned for spring 2026, pending permits.
Neighbors who spoke during the public hearing raised concerns about traffic and bright parking‑lot lighting from a nearby car wash. “The lights … are incredibly bright,” said Alex Sasek, who lives across the street and asked whether traffic studies had been done; city staff said no traffic study was required for the land‑use/rezone actions. Staff said a lighting plan was submitted with the building plans and that staff would follow up with the principal planner and the resident.
Alderman Matthews announced for the record that he would abstain from the vote because he is a member of the church’s leadership team. The motion to approve passed with 14 votes in favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention.
Why it matters: The approvals align zoning and the city’s land use map with the church’s ownership and proposed expansion. Staff and the applicant said the approvals permit the church’s planned addition and will keep an existing parking agreement allowing some park users to use the church lot outside peak church hours.
