May 16, 2024

Request allowing church in uptown Creston denied

By KYLE WILSON

God's Outreach Deliverance requested a conditional use permit from the city that would allow them to relocate their church to 124 Maple St. in uptown Creston. The request was denied.

A local church will not be worshiping in uptown Creston.

God’s Outreach Deliverance had requested a conditional use permit from the city that would allow them to use 124 N. Maple St. as a church in commercially-zoned uptown Creston.

JoAnna King, pastor at the church, said the move to this Maple Street location is necessary because they’ve outgrown their church at 306 N. Oak St. King said they’ve already began remodeling at the Maple Street location — not aware city zoning didn’t allow for churches in uptown Creston.

“We believe we’re an asset for the (uptown) area and community,” said church member Wayne Feldhacker. “We would just like to have the zoning adjusted.”

However, several business owners spoke against issuing them the permit during a public hearing with Creston Planning Zoning Commission Tuesday evening at the restored Creston Depot.

Mike Coen, owner of Coen’s Furniture, said he doesn’t believe having the church in uptown is the right move for a retail environment.

“I’m all for churches and I go to church and I think we need churches,” Coen said, “but I don’t think this is the right location. I don’t think we have enough parking, as is, and we need to keep as much open space in uptown as we can for retail customers.”

Joyce Franklin, owner of Quilts and Other Notions, delivered a petition Tuesday to the zoning commission with 24 signatures from uptown residents/business owners against the church being allowed to move into uptown Creston.

“I’m not opposed to a church or any church,” Franklin said. “My fear is if you allow one variance, it will lead to more and more and we will lose our retail climate in uptown.”

Feldhacker said the church would not cause any parking problems in uptown because church members would only be there during evenings and Sunday mornings when businesses have their doors closed.

A total of nine people spoke during the public hearing. After 45 minutes, the zoning commission voted unanimously against issuing the permit to God’s Outreach Deliverance.

“We need to leave the uptown area commercial,” said Rick Foster with the zoning commission. “I hope you can find another place real soon.”

Barb Coenen, owner of Maple Street Memories, mentioned that Assembly of God Church at 417 Wyoming Ave. in Creston is for sale.