Second Baptist Church asks board to consider rezoning parsonage at 201 Garland Drive from B1 to R2; board offers guidance, no vote

Second Baptist Church representatives asked the City of Lake Jackson planning board to consider rezoning a portion of church property—the parsonage at 201 Garland Drive—from neighborhood business (B1) to residential (R2). Pastor Raymond Wally said the church has voted to sell the parsonage and is weighing whether rezoning the parcel would increase its market value.

“...we've decided and the church voted to sell the property,” Pastor Raymond Wally said, identifying himself as pastor of Second Baptist. Church members present included Gary Thornton and Cliff Davis, who the pastor said were on the building-and-grounds committee.

City staff and board members cautioned the church that splitting the parsonage parcel off and rezoning it to R2 could trigger additional regulatory requirements for the remaining church property. Those requirements cited during discussion included updated site plans, surveying and subdivision procedures, parking and landscaping compliance, and other improvements that would be required to bring the church lot up-to-date rather than leaving it as a grandfathered nonconforming use.

A staff member described the R2 standard setback of 25 feet and said the parsonage as shown could meet that setback. Board members also noted parking rules for churches (one parking space per three seats in the auditorium) as a reference point for how splitting the lot could affect required parking on the remaining church parcel.

Attendees discussed marketability: church representatives said they had received at least one offer substantially below local assessed values and that a residential listing could be easier to market. Board members suggested the church consult with a realtor, an appraiser (a certified general appraiser for commercial valuation), and surveyors to determine costs of subdivision, site upgrades and marketing.

No formal rezoning application or vote took place at the meeting. Board members said they were “receptive” to the idea but urged the church to do additional homework, meet with engineering and planning staff, and return to a future meeting to seek formal consideration. The church said it would discuss the matter at its July 20 business meeting and planned to return at the board’s August meeting.