Argyle council approves Tribes Church site plan with berms, tree‑mitigation and no‑amplification condition

Argyle Town Council on Nov. 17 approved site plan SP25‑008 for Tribes Church, a proposed house of worship on Lots 15–16 in the Woods of Argyle subdivision, adding conditions intended to limit light, noise and tree loss.

Mr. Wicks, presenting the staff report, said the applicant reduced parking by 14 spaces to preserve seven trees and revised buffers to increase protection for neighboring homes. He said Planning & Zoning recommended approval with variances for parking location, façade articulation, front yard setback, and an alternative east‑side fence in lieu of an 8‑ft masonry wall. Mr. Wicks noted the updated landscape plan still falls short of P&Z’s full planting recommendation and that the applicant would either plant additional mitigation trees or pay into the town’s tree reforestation fund.

During public comment and council questioning, council members repeatedly raised concerns about vehicle headlights and noise reaching nearby residences. One council member asked whether the berm on the east side could be raised to 4 feet to better block headlights; staff explained that a berm plus shrubs and lower light poles would greatly reduce light transmittal. Gavin Pappett, lead pastor of Tribes Church, said the church “does not have immediate plans for amplification or speakers” and described the church as wanting to be “amazing neighbors” and a buffer between residences and nearby commercial uses.

Councilmember Stewart moved to approve SP25‑008 including the P&Z variances, with these specific conditions: add a 4‑foot earthen berm on the east buffer (to be extended when the adjacent driveway is extended), allow required mitigation trees to be planted on the south portion of the applicant’s property on a caliper‑inch basis in lieu of off‑site payment, and prohibit outdoor speakers or amplified voice without a special‑event permit. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

The decision leaves staff with two implementation tasks: verify the final landscape plan or the applicant’s payment into the reforestation fund before permit issuance and document the no‑amplification condition and special‑event permit process in the approved site‑plan conditions. The council also instructed that the berm requirement extend around to the south when the driveway is extended.

The public hearing opened and closed during the Nov. 17 meeting; the council approved the motion the same evening.