Planning Commission approves conditioned food‑bank building at Mentor Church of Christ, with parking and screening conditions

Representatives for the Mentor Church of Christ presented plans for a new conditioned 30-by-50 building at 7201 Birch Avenue to operate the church's food bank and to remove two existing sheds. "Currently, they do have a food bank. It's more of a two-car garage-style structure," said Cal Heinz, who explained the new building would be properly insulated, heated and include an ADA-compliant restroom so volunteers and clients can use the facility comfortably year-round.

Commissioners and staff discussed parking impacts. The applicant estimated the project could remove between six and 12 marked spaces depending on final layout; staff noted the property has 82 marked spaces with a minimum requirement of 69, so the lot would remain within code range. Commissioners asked that any parking spaces adjacent to the new building include wheel stops to prevent vehicles from reaching the door area; the commission added that as a condition. Staff also recommended landscaping within setbacks to provide additional buffering; the applicant agreed to include landscape in final documents.

The commission approved the site alteration with five conditions, including landscaping in the setback, wheel stops for adjacent parking spaces and screening for any ground-mounted mechanical equipment. The applicant said food distribution would not take place concurrently with church services to minimize parking conflicts. Staff will verify the conditions during permit review.