Board approves conditional use permit to restore Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church at 123 Big Sink Road

The Board of Adjustment voted to approve a conditional use permit allowing Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church to operate at 123 Big Sink Road, restoring a prior church use that lapsed when the property changed hands.

Steve, the city staff member who presented the application, told the board the property previously had a conditional-use permit for a church that expired after a sale and that the R3 zoning designation defers allowable conditional uses to R2 and R1A, where churches are listed as eligible with board approval. Steve told members the applicants applied on March 7 and that the site is just over an acre with existing parking and building improvements.

The board attached three conditions the applicant proposed and staff reviewed: that the building be used primarily for religious worship and related activities; that no new freestanding signage be added beyond an updated sign face; and that an existing shared driveway agreement with the neighboring parcel at 125 Big Sink be maintained. Steve said most improvements are already in place and that the request is primarily about re-establishing the use.

Applicant Connor Wilburn briefly told the board he did not have anything to add beyond the staff report. Nearby property owner Eugene Sears approached to ask about future expansion plans; Sears said he understood the proposal as a reestablishment of the former footprint and that he had no objection. “I have no problem with it,” Sears said.

A board member moved to approve the conditional use permit, citing the section 407.5 findings that the use will not overburden traffic or public systems because it is consistent with the previous use on the site. The motion received a second and the chair declared the motion carried. The transcript does not record a numeric roll-call tally.

With approval, the applicant may proceed with any ministerial permits or business licensing required for occupancy under local code; staff remains available to answer follow-up questions about next steps.

The hearing record and staff report (pages referenced during the presentation) provide the findings and specific recommended conditions that formed the basis for the board’s decision.