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Beavercreek panel approves Bethel World Mission Church PUD amendment with noise, lighting conditions
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended adding "places of religious assembly" to PUD 08‑4 for Bethel World Mission Church and approved a linked minor modification to convert an on‑site garage to a sanctuary, imposing six conditions including repeal of a 2008 restriction, noise insulation and a lighting curfew. The votes were 4–1.
The Beavercreek Planning Commission voted to recommend a PUD amendment that would allow a place of religious assembly at 3044 Dayton Xenia Road and approved a related minor modification to reclassify the property’s garage as a principal structure for worship. The amendment (PUD 08‑4 amendment 7‑26) and the minor modification (PUD 08‑4 mod 7‑26 minor) passed with votes reported as 4–1 on both the resolution and the modification.
Thomas Hahn, speaking for Bethel World Mission Church, told commissioners the property would host Sunday services and weekday prayer meetings: "Services would be on Sunday mornings and last probably until, like, 1 or 2 in the afternoon, and then possibly daily, morning prayer services during the weekday, Monday through Friday." Staff had advised that the garage could provide about 30 seats with the current 10 parking spaces and that the garage would require building‑department and fire‑marshal permits before being used as a public assembly space. Neighbor Janice Jacobs objected, saying she did not want the use next door and that "when you put what is considered a storefront Church assembly next to a place, your property values go down," adding concerns about traffic and noise.
Commissioners and staff debated technical and legal issues before voting. Counsel and staff explained that the November 2008 PUD included a condition (number 8) that limited the principal structure to the house; the commission added a condition to the resolution repealing that part of the 2008 ordinance so the garage could be designated a principal structure. The commission also added conditions making the minor modification contingent on council approval of the amendment, requiring insulation or other measures so sound from services "are not discernible from the property line," and requiring outdoor lighting to be reduced to 25% within one hour of closing. The chair read the roll for each motion; the record shows the motions carried by 4–1 votes. The commission noted that building, fire and zoning permits would still be required and that ADA access and parking improvements would be addressed through permits and later site work before the garage could be used for worship.
