Board denies New Hope Church expansion after neighbor objections and executive session

The Preble County Board of Zoning Appeals on June 23 denied a request from New Hope Church for a 54-foot by 100-foot addition that would have reduced side and front setbacks and increased lot coverage on a 0.79-acre property at 5367 U.S. 35 West in New Hope. The board moved into an executive session to review the legal variance criteria under Section 1404.01(D) before returning to vote 4–0 to deny the request; Chair Kimberly Craft abstained from the final roll call.

Jane Marshall, speaking on behalf of New Hope Church, said the addition was intended to provide a gymnasium and youth space that could also serve the National Trail school district and described layout constraints related to an existing septic/aeration field. Neighbor Susan Zimmerman opposed locating the structure near her home, saying, "I do not want that so close to my property... I moved there years ago because it's quiet," and raising concerns about noise, traffic, trees and potential damage to her septic and sunlight loss. Board members cited multiple D-section criteria in their discussion, including alternatives to the proposed siting and likely impacts on the adjacent property. Curtis Caplinger moved to deny based on the D(1–6) findings; Mike Henning seconded and the motion carried with four yes votes and one abstention.

Why it matters: The denial preserves current setbacks and maintains the neighborhood’s existing residential character adjacent to the church parcel. The board’s written finding referenced all six points in Section 1404.01(D) when concluding a hardship had not been demonstrated for the requested location.