Commission denies special-exception request for Chin United Pentecostal Church; approves plat to split property

The Metropolitan Development Commission voted 5-2 on Feb. 5, 2025, to deny a special-exception request (2024 CVR 834, third amendment) from Chin United Pentecostal Church to permit religious uses on Lot 1 of a 14.68-acre property at 6650 South Meridian Street. The commission separately approved a plat (2024 CPL 834) to split the property into two lots by a 6-1 vote.

The petitioners sought permission to create a new house of worship and to replat the property into Lot 1 (an L-shaped parcel the church proposed to purchase) and Lot 2 (a smaller front parcel). Commissioners heard about the church's plans, neighborhood concerns and staff recommendations during a public hearing that included sworn testimony from the petitioner's representative and multiple neighbors.

Why it mattered: The denial halts the requested land-use change that would explicitly allow a religious facility on Lot 1; the approved plat formalizes the parcel split so the smaller Lot 2 (the front parcel) can proceed through subdivision procedures. Commissioners folded several commitments into the action on the special exception before voting, and staff's conditions were incorporated into the overall record.

What petitioners said: Caitlin Gray, the property owner, told the commission…