Council approves Next Step Ministries day program at Maple Avenue United Methodist Church

The Marietta City Council unanimously approved a special land use permit allowing Next Step Ministries to use basement space at Maple Avenue United Methodist Church for a daytime program serving adults with developmental disabilities.

Parks Huff, attorney for the applicant, explained the request under case Z2025-03 and said the church would provide basement fellowship-hall space with direct parking and an existing side entrance. Huff described the program as a day program that provides structured activities, including music and art, for adults who have aged out of school-based services and need daytime supervision and social opportunities. He said the initial plan anticipated about 10 participants with capacity up to 20 and emphasized the nonprofit service and medical/behavioral supports the operator would provide.

Huff told the council the site would not require changes to the church building’s exterior and that the fire department had reviewed the occupancy plan. He said, “This is a program that is during the work day, during the week,” and that Next Step Ministries currently operates similar programs and would bring trained staff and operations to Marietta to serve local families who otherwise travel out of the city for these services.

Council discussion was supportive; a councilmember representing Ward 3 thanked the church and the ministry for offering the space and moved approval. The motion carried 7-0.

The permit allows the ministry to operate its daytime program in the church’s fellowship hall basement with the condition that the group meet applicable fire and occupancy requirements and any other standard permit conditions noted by staff.