Zoning board denies special-exception for church at 40 North 4th Street

The Columbia Borough Zoning Hearing Board voted to deny an application from Pentecostal Church under the Fire of the Holy Spirit to operate at 40 North 4th Street, citing unresolved questions about building occupancy, parking and the configuration of the multi-tenant property.

Applicants, presenting through translator Julio Lopez, told the board the congregation is small — about 23 people currently — and that they had adjusted service days to avoid conflicts with neighboring tenants. Applicant Yamil M. De Jesus said the church would primarily transport members in a 14-passenger Chevy Express van and estimated two to five additional personal vehicles in the future. He said the rented space is about 935 square feet.

Board members pressed the applicants on which floors and units they intend to occupy in the multi-tenant building, where the bathroom and ingress/egress are located, and whether other tenants use adjacent spaces. The board noted the applicants bore the burden of showing how the proposed use would fit within the building’s existing occupancies and how parking and access would be managed; the record contained no off-street parking dedicated to the church.

An adjacent-business owner, Melissa Bender of Boss Lady Sweets Bakery, questioned whether the church’s schedule or operations would interfere with her business hours; she said her own opening had been delayed by a state inspection but that, after the applicants’ explanation of hours, she did not expect interference.

After closing the record, a board member moved to deny the special-exception and associated variances. The board seconded the motion and denied the application by voice vote. The board and solicitor said a written decision will follow.