Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panora planning board takes no position on church's appeal over industrial zoning
Summary
After presentations from city staff and representatives of the Lutheran Church of Hope, the Panora Planning and Zoning Board voted 3-2 to take no position on an appeal that a church is not a permitted use in the Light Industrial District at 1200 E. Main Street; the appeal will go to the Board of Adjustment.
The Panora Planning and Zoning Board on Jan. 6 considered an appeal by the Lutheran Church of Hope challenging the zoning administrator's determination that a church is not a permitted use in the Light Industrial District for property at 1200 E. Main Street. After staff outlined the Light Industrial District's permitted uses and presented a City Attorney legal opinion supporting the administrator's interpretation, the board heard a presentation from the church and testimony from community supporters.
City Administrator Lisa Grossman reviewed the Light Industrial District provisions and said the City Attorney's opinion backs the zoning administrator's conclusion that the proposed church use does not fall within the district's listed permitted uses under Section 2(B). Kelly Orton, representing the Lutheran Church of Hope, argued the congregation's proposed activities and services should qualify under Section 2(B) and described planned uses for the building at 1200 E. Main Street. Emily Donovan, Galen Redshaw and Chriss Gunnare also testified in support, discussing the church's role in the community and the services the congregation provides.
Board members asked detailed questions of staff and of the church representatives about how specific activities would be classified under the city code and whether any elements of the proposal fit the Light Industrial District's permitted uses. Commissioner Rod Huggins moved to recommend affirming the zoning administrator's determination, but the motion failed for lack of a second. Commissioner Courtney Hodges then moved that the commission take no position on the appeal and forward it to the Board of Adjustment; Commissioner Dave Beidelman seconded. On a roll call vote the board approved the motion 3-2, with Commissioners Huggins and Twigg opposed.
Votes at a glance - Approve agenda: motion by Commissioner Dave Beidelman, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Twigg; carried unanimously (board present: Baker, Beidelman, Hodges, Huggins, Twigg). - Motion to recommend affirming zoning administrator's determination: moved by Commissioner Rod Huggins; failed for lack of a second. - Motion to take no position on the Lutheran Church of Hope appeal and forward to the Board of Adjustment: moved by Commissioner Courtney Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Dave Beidelman; carried 3-2 (Huggins and Twigg opposed). - Adjourn: moved by Commissioner Curtis Twigg, seconded by Commissioner Dave Beidelman; carried unanimously at 12:40 p.m.
The board did not issue a recommendation in favor of the zoning administrator's interpretation, nor did it overturn the determination; instead it voted to take no position and send the appeal to the Board of Adjustment for a final decision. The record for this meeting will be forwarded to the Board of Adjustment, which will determine whether the church's proposed use is permitted in the Light Industrial District under Section 2(B).
