Council approves development agreement change for Coptic church, subject to parking and hours limits

The Meridian City Council on July 8 approved a development agreement modification to allow the construction of a 9,930-square-foot Coptic Orthodox church at 4383 North Locust Grove Road, contingent on staff-level approvals for parking and landscape buffer variances.

City planner Sonia (last name not given in the record) told the council the site was annexed in 2016 with an existing development agreement and that the applicant proposed a church with occupancy of about 160. The development plan showed 11 on-site parking spaces and a proposed shared-parking agreement with a nearby day care (Brighter Beginnings Learning Center) to provide up to 15 spaces during off hours; staff noted an alternative-compliance application to justify the shared-parking plan had not yet been submitted.

Applicant Kireluz Yousef, the engineer of record, told the council the congregation had signed an agreement that day with the owner of a nearby 1.86-acre parcel to secure additional parking that he estimated could accommodate “easily 50 cars.” He said the church will serve the Coptic Orthodox community in the Boise area.

Councilmembers expressed support for enabling a faith congregation to secure a permanent home but stressed conditions. Staff recommended — and the council required — that the council approval be contingent on the applicant submitting and receiving director approval for alternative compliance for off‑street parking, an updated shared-use parking agreement and hours of operation that do not conflict with the daycare, and that the hours of operation be limited to 6 a.m.–10 p.m. The council also considered but delegated the reduced street-buffer application (along Locust Grove Road) to the director’s alternative-compliance process.

Councilman Taylor moved to approve the application as presented with those conditions; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously by roll call with all voting council members recorded as “aye.” After the vote the mayor and council welcomed the congregation and noted additional approvals and coordination with staff would follow before the development agreement is executed.

Ending: The development agreement modification was approved on the condition that the director approve alternative compliance applications and that the applicant finalize required parking and buffer approvals before the city will sign the final development agreement.