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City hears rezoning proposal to convert Zion Baptist site into 100–120 housing units while preserving the church
Summary
City Planner Jeff Green presented a rezoning to change the Zion Baptist Church site from single-family MR5 to mature multifamily MMF with a planned development overlay for an approximately 100–120-unit Magnus Capital Partners project that would preserve the historic church through adaptive reuse.
City Planner Jeff Green presented a rezoning proposal at the May 20 Dayton City Commission meeting to change the zoning for the Zion Baptist Church site at Edwin C. Moses Boulevard and West Third Street from MR5 (mature single-family) to MMF (mature multifamily) with a planned development overlay.
Green said the conceptual plan by Magnus Capital Partners would create roughly 100–120 housing units in two four- to five-story buildings while preserving the historically and culturally significant Zion Baptist Church through adaptive reuse. He emphasized that the site sits inside the Right Dunbar Historic District and would remain subject to review and protections that preserve the church as the visual centerpiece of the development.
Planning staff revised the proposal after community feedback to improve the site layout, maintain mature trees where possible, preserve views of the church, enhance multimodal access, and include development standards such as a 65-foot height limit, parking requirements, tree-preservation measures, and billboard restrictions. Green said advisory boards — the West Third Land Use Board and City Plan Board — gave unanimous support and planning staff recommended approval.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions. Commissioner Beckham asked how adaptive reuse of the church would function; Green said the church would be opened for restricted commercial uses. Commissioner Shaw asked whether Sinclair had interest in the property; Green said he would investigate. Commissioner Joseph suggested removing levees to improve bike-trail access and views; Green said that is being actively considered.
The proposal at this meeting was for rezoning and development standards rather than final site approval; additional design and permit approvals would follow the planning and historic-preservation review processes.
