Powell council approves rezoning for Saint Barbara’s expansion amid neighborhood safety concerns

The Powell City Council on second reading approved ordinance number 4-20-25 to rezone property at Saint Barbara’s from Residential General to Business General, allowing the parish to build an addition with Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant restrooms and a larger north gathering area.

Supporters, including church leaders and parishioners, told the council the project is intended to make the church more accessible to elderly and disabled worshippers and to give congregants more indoor space after services and events. Lee Craig, who said he serves on Saint Barbara’s building committee, told the council that architects concluded the most feasible way to provide ADA-compliant restrooms was to expand the building: “the best way to accomplish the goal of updated ADA compliant restrooms is to build on.” Daniel Catone, a parishioner, framed the request as a civil-rights and accessibility issue and cited federal law: “If secular public gathering places are allowed to make common sense improvements, like accessible restrooms, then churches must be permitted the same.”

Nearby residents voiced safety concerns about pedestrian sight lines and traffic at the intersection near the church. One resident, Rebecca, said, “These people don't live in our neighborhood. They have no idea how people drive on our neighborhood.” Another neighbor, Mary Vale, who identified herself as living on Absaroka between Fifth and Sixth streets, said dangerous driving is a citywide problem and argued that traffic enforcement or a crossing guard, not the church, should address crossing safety. Mike Donnelly, a longtime parishioner who spoke earlier in favor of the project, said the addition is intended to keep people inside and “in the direction of reducing the congestion.”

Council members who spoke during the deliberation noted the council’s role is to consider zoning suitability and the city’s land-use pattern; several said surrounding parcels already include businesses and that Business General zoning would not be out of line for the lot. After discussion the council moved, seconded and voted to approve ordinance 4-20-25 on second reading. The meeting record shows the motion carried.

The church representatives said they intend to follow the city’s sight-line requirements in final design and to consult architects and permitting staff before construction. Opponents asked the council to ensure sight-line and pedestrian-safety issues are addressed in permitting and in any building plan review.

The council’s action changes the parcel’s zoning classification to permit the addition described in the church’s plans; building permits and any required visibility or traffic mitigation measures remain subject to standard city review and approval processes.