(The link to the entire video-stream of the Board of Adjustment meeting is posted below the story)
(Atlantic) The Atlantic Board of Adjustment approved New Life Churches’ application for a conditional use permit to operate a church at 28 W. 5th Street and 410 Poplar Street in the C-3 “Central Business District.” The church has entered into a purchase agreement with the property owners of the more commonly known Atlantic movie theater.
The Board consisting of Chairperson Melissa Ihnen, Vice-Chair, Alexsis Fleener, Brian Ruge, and Lloyd Munson, held a public hearing on Thursday night in front of a large crowd in the City Council Chambers.
New Life Church Paster Ben Winford appearing in front of the Board, stated the Church has outgrown its current location, has been renting the Atlas Atlantic Cinema on Sundays, and offered to buy the building to make it their permanent location. Winford says the congregation has grown from a congregation of 11 to 140.
Barb Jorgensen, the owner of Little Cobbler, spoke in favor of saving the theater.
Roger Steffens, owner of S.F. Martin House across the street to the west, stated the Church would not affect his business.
Pastor Winford stated during the Board of Adjustments question and answer part of the meeting they would like to continue to involve the community besides church services.
The Board of Adjustment members stated they received letters concerned about parking; otherwise, they found no issues with the seven guidelines they must follow to approve the permit. Therefore, it was approved.
Below are the following guidelines:
The Board of Adjustment may authorize the Zoning Administrator to issue a conditional use permit for conditional uses provided that such conditional uses or structures are by the purpose and intent of this ordinance and are found not to be hazardous, harmful, offensive, or otherwise adverse to the environment, the applicant or the value of the neighborhood or community. Additionally, the Board of Adjustment shall review the site, existing and proposed structures, architectural plans, neighboring uses, parking areas, driveway locations, highway access, traffic generation and circulation, drainage sewage and water systems, and proposed operation.
To grant a conditional use permit, the board of adjustment must find that:
- The conditional use permit’s establishment, maintenance, or operation will not harm public health, safety, morals, comfort, or general welfare.
- That the conditional use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the permitted purpose and will not substantially diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood.
- That the establishment of the conditional use permit will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of the surrounding property for uses permitted in the district.
- Those adequate utilities, access roads, drainage, and necessary facilities have been or are being provided.
- Adequate measures have been or will be taken to provide ingress and egress to minimize traffic congestion in the public streets.
- The conditional use permit shall, in all other respects, conform to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located, except as such regulations may, in each instance, be modified as provided in Article 23.
- That the proposed use shall be consistent with the comprehensive plan.
