Alpharetta planning commission defers Spirit of God Church conditional‑use request after parking and notice concerns

The Alpharetta Planning Commission on Feb. 6 voted to defer consideration of a master‑plan amendment and conditional‑use permit that would allow Spirit of God Church to operate a 128‑seat worship center at 145 Noble Court in the Windward business park.

City planning staff presented the application and said Spirit of God proposed to occupy roughly 2,000 of an 18,207 sq. ft. office/industrial building, with the remaining 16,000 sq. ft. leased to office or light industrial tenants. Staff reported the building has 64 parking spaces and noted the Unified Development Code requires one parking space for every two seats in a church assembly area, which equals the 64 spaces on site for a 128‑seat room. Staff recommended approval subject to eight conditions, including limiting the approval to Spirit of God, a 128‑seat cap, prescribed hours, landscaping replacements, and a requirement to hire an off‑duty officer if traffic impacts warrant it.

Why it mattered: nearby property owners and businesses argued the site is oriented to office and light industrial use, not a congregational assembly, and raised practical and security concerns for after‑hours activity near data‑intensive companies.

In opposition, Jessica Cantrell, an attorney with Underwood Scoggins representing nearby property owners, told commissioners that many Windward businesses are corporate entities or LLCs that may not receive mailed notices promptly and said the Windward Business Center Association opposes the church use under its covenants. Cantrell also questioned whether the office‑park configuration and limited parking make the site suitable for congregations. "This building was never meant for a large amount of people to congregate," Cantrell said, urging more time for landowners to evaluate impacts.

Business owner Brian Fees, who said his company employs nearly 500 people in the Windward complex, underscored cybersecurity and security concerns near firms that handle sensitive information and recounted prior data breaches in the area. He asked the commission to allow more time for owners to assess ramifications and parking logistics.

Pastor Randall Knighton, representing Spirit of God, said the congregation has worshiped in Alpharetta for about 22 years and intends to purchase the building rather than lease it. Knighton said about 60% of members participate virtually, that the church plans to limit in‑person services or add multiple services if attendance grows, and that the applicant followed city notification procedures. "We did everything that the City of Alpharetta asked us to do for notification," Knighton said, and offered to meet neighbors to address concerns.

Commissioners noted the late hand‑delivered letters from the Windward association and counsel and discussed the city’s notification procedures and limits of municipal enforcement over private CC&Rs. Several commissioners said the mix of issues — notice, private covenants, parking constraints and nearby security sensitivities — warranted further time for applicant and neighbors to meet. Commissioner (speaker 2) moved to defer MP‑26‑01/CU‑26‑01 to the commission’s March 5 meeting; the motion was seconded and carried. The chair asked parties to work with city staff before that date.

Next step: The item will return to the Planning Commission on March 5 for further consideration and potential forwarding to City Council.