Decision reversed: Local church allowed in Uptown

A local church will be worshiping in uptown Creston after all.

Last month, God’s Outreach Deliverance requested a conditional use permit from the city that would allow them to hold church services at 124 N. Maple St. in commercially-zoned uptown Creston.

That request was denied by Creston Planning and Zoning Commission May 12. It was denied because the commission wanted to keep all of uptown zoned C-1 for retail use.

Tuesday, that decision was reversed by Creston City Council after the council received legal guidance from city attorney Skip Kenyon in closed session.

The council’s unanimous decision Tuesday disappointed several business owners who don’t believe having a church in uptown is the right move for a retail environment.

Their biggest concern is the well-documented parking problem.

“I hope the church understands we think this (uptown) is a retail zone,” said Mike Coen, owner of Coen’s Furniture located at 121 N. Maple St. “And, we would appreciate if you would watch your parking, and I’m sure you will. We will work together, but we wish you would still look for a different location that would be more suitable for the traffic you will have.”

JoAnna King, pastor at the church, said this morning the Lord told her to move church uptown in order reach more people they were serving.

She added moving to the Maple Street location was also necessary because they’ve outgrown their church at 306 N. Oak St.

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

“We are not here to cause any interruptions in uptown,” King said. “We will work with business owners moving forward so that we can live comfortably together. We just want to continue to help people in need and show the love of God.”

King said the church has about 75 members and is already holding church services uptown.