Commission Recommends Approval of Mount Zion Church Meditation Garden to Council

The Glendale Planning and Historic Preservation Commission voted to recommend that the Village Council approve Mount Zion Baptist Church’s conditional use permit to convert a vacant parcel into a meditation garden open to the public.

Warren Moyer, representing Mount Zion Baptist Church, described the project as a small park-like setting with benches, flowers, waste disposal and member-supplied pavers bearing donors’ names in remembrance of former pastor Richard Waldrop. "Each one is gonna, basically purchase a stone with their name and family name or whatever on it," Moyer said as he explained how the pavers would be provided by church members. The applicants emphasized the space would be publicly accessible and low-impact.

Commissioners discussed why the use is treated as a conditional use under the village zoning code (the parcel is in a single-family residential district where churches are allowed only as conditional uses) and clarified that pavers were planned to start roughly 20 feet from the street in order to leave a grass strip where there is no sidewalk. Staff advised that pushing improvements into the public right-of-way would require a separate, lengthier approval from the village. The commission also advised applicants to submit signage plans separately and suggested durable bench materials such as cast iron or cast aluminum rather than wood.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval to the Village Council; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The application will appear on the council’s agenda for final action. Staff will work with the applicants on signage submission, bench materials and any right-of-way permitting if the church chooses to pursue a pedestrian connection to the street.