Planning commission recommends against rezoning River of Life church property to general business, 6‑1

The Madison Planning Commission on April 14 voted not to recommend rezoning at 610 Northeast 3rd Street requested by River of Life Christian Fellowship, rejecting the application by a 6‑1 roll call.

City staff told commissioners the adopted comprehensive land‑use map designates the parcel as medium‑density residential and that the applicant sought a rezone from R‑60 to GB to increase the pool of potential buyers, including nonprofit and for‑profit entities.

Pastor Bobby Giblant and Tracy Giblant said the church is exploring a move and that rezoning would allow more potential buyers—one inquiry from a funeral home had prompted the request. "We just felt like that would give us a better opportunity for the sale of that building," Bobby Giblant told the commission, adding the church would exercise discretion about future buyers and would prefer the property stay in religious use if possible.

Staff and commissioners raised technical issues, including whether the property remains within the 100‑year floodplain and the implications of the ‘‘substantial improvement’’ rule for rebuilding (a 50% threshold that can trigger elevation requirements). Ryan, the city engineer, said the site likely remains mapped in the floodplain and explained the work needed for compliance if major structural changes occur.

A neighboring resident, Kevin Barlow, registered concern about the types of businesses a general‑business zoning could allow and asked the commission to consider neighborhood impacts.

After discussion, the commission moved and seconded a motion to recommend denying the rezoning; roll call produced six nays and one yes, and the commission recorded the recommendation that the city commission not change the parcel’s zoning.

The city commission will take the final public hearing and make a final determination.