BID Board: Ordinance Banning Churches from Downtown Retail Spaces Should Remain the Same

The city’s zoning ordinance that prohibits churches from occupying downtown storefront space should remain untouched, the Business Improvement District Board of Directors voted Thursday morning to recommend that the city’s Plan Commission.

The BID board was asked to weigh in on three different options that would include allowing the storefront space to be occupied by churches, keeping the ordinance the same or allowing churches in the central city district but on a conditional use basis.

There are churches in the downtown and surrounding area but those churches are grandfathered into the current ordinance.

“It is an issue that is going to continue to come back,” said Director of Community Development Steve Crandell, who asked at the meeting for the BID board to provide the Plan Commission with the feedback.

was seeking to occupy a downtown storefront space but

The general consensus of the board was that the best use of a storefront space would be a business that occupies and uses the space seven days a week instead of Sunday mornings and a handful of times during the week.

“I think we are always looking for the highest, best possible use for all our prime spaces,” Board Member Norm Bruce said.

Board Member Roger Igielski and Board Vice President Steve Kassens indicated when the board was polled on the issue that they would support allowing churches to locate to the downtown based on conditional use permits, which could dictate issues such as parking and hours.

The tough part of making the decision, Igielski said during the meeting, was that the board represents the Business Improvement District.

“We have to act in the best interest of the businesses in the downtown,” he said.