Soda Springs commission recommends City Council approve Caribou Bible Church setback variance

The Soda Springs Planning & Zoning Commission voted May 12 to recommend that the City Council approve a variance allowing Caribou Bible Church to add a 20-foot extension to the south end of its sanctuary at 290 E. 1st N, a change the church says is needed to accommodate growing attendance.

Jon Goode, speaking on behalf of Caribou Bible Church, told the commission the existing south side of the building sits 27 feet from the property line and the proposed addition would leave a rear setback of about seven feet along the eastern third of the structure. He said the building measures roughly 2,200 square feet, with the sanctuary occupying about 1,600 square feet after accounting for restrooms and support spaces, and that Sunday attendance now ranges from about 100 to 150 people. "The church is requesting a variance to allow a twenty-foot (20’) extension on the south end of the building located at 290 E. 1st N," Goode said, adding the extension would provide about 800 square feet of additional sanctuary space — roughly a 50% increase.

Goode said expanding to the west would reduce parking and that, on some Sundays, parishioners currently use the high school lot. He also said the project would add two rear exits for safety. Vice-Chairman Lori Anne Lau responded that "a variance is only granted when there is an undue loss in the value of the property or an inability to preserve the property rights of the owner due to undue hardship caused by the characteristics of the site," and she questioned whether the church had demonstrated that standard. Lau asked staff whether any neighboring property owners had submitted comments; Clerk Melissa McDowell said none had been received.

Commissioner Waynet Jo Turner and Chairman Charles Fryar joined Lau in stressing safety and setback concerns and supported asking Fire Chief Squires for an evaluation. City Attorney Tom Smith reminded the commission to make explicit findings tied to the variance code so the reasoning could be included in the recommendation.

Vice-Chairman Lau moved that the commission recommend City Council approve the requested variance, citing three findings: A) the request is not in conflict with the spirit of the Comprehensive Plan; B) extraordinary circumstances exist because the encroachment affects only the east portion of the building; and C) the change will not be materially detrimental to public health or safety, contingent on confirmation from Chief Squires. Commissioner Turner seconded the motion; the commission voiced "all in favor," and the motion carried. The commission also agreed to adjourn and reschedule remaining agenda items to the June meeting.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the Soda Springs City Council for final action; the commission said it will request the Fire Chief’s input on safety before the Council considers the variance.