CLEARFIELD – The Lawrence Township Supervisors heard from local church representatives at Tuesday night’s meeting to appeal a township zoning board hearing held earlier in the month regarding a church renting space in a Commercial-Highway zone.
Clint Goss, pastor of Faith Connections Church, asked the supervisors to add churches as permissible use in all township zoning areas.
Goss explained the history of churches using untraditional settings, and the more recent phenomenon of “church planting,” which, he said, is independent and denominational churches using leased commercial spaces for fast start up and for economic reasons.
He said Faith Connection had searched for a facility for more than a year, yet there are retail spaces available to rent for long periods that can’t find tenants. He said that allowing churches as tenants in such places is good for the economy and a good use of available space.
Tim Durant, representing Faith Bible Church, said he wished to appeal the decision of the zoning hearing, particularly for the church located at the old Target Square complex.
Durant said churches are permitted in most township zoning areas but not in Commercial Highway zones. He pointed out similarities between churches and Commercial Highway designated uses, including social events, eating and drinking places, conference rooms, meetings, or recreation.
He asked that the supervisors consider making churches a permitted use, or at least a special condition use in Commercial Highway zoned areas.
Supervisor Chairman Bill Lawhead said the township will be scheduling zoning work sessions, and churches will be included in the discussions.
Supervisor Ed Brown added that the township has to go through the steps for zoning, but that issues such as [Department of Labor and Industry] Certificate of Occupancy requirements still have to be met.
Lawhead said the supervisors will meet with the zoning hearing board and work out the situation.
Code Enforcement Officer Debra Finkbeiner said that the township will be granting special permission for the continued use of the church at Target Square.
Finkbeiner said the issue is partly a result of a general misunderstanding of Certificates of Occupancy. She explained that, even though facilities may have Certificates of Occupancy for a building, certificates are also required for each occupant in a leased facility.
Finkbeiner commended Goss for checking into the legalities of the church being located at Target Square.
Nancy Yeager, member of the township zoning hearing board, said that it is just an oversight in the zoning plans that churches were not included in uses in Commercial Highway zones.
Yeager said that, even though there have been recent amendments to the township’s zoning ordinance, it has been several years since the code has been fully reviewed, noting that it is something the board needs to address.
It was noted in the meeting discussion that a church is located at the Clearfield truck stop site near the Interstate 80 interchange. Finkbeiner said she was not aware of a church at this facility, but, depending on when it was established, it may be grandfathered from zoning requirements if it was in place prior to the township’s adoption of zoning codes.
Anyone with questions regarding township zoning uses or Certificates of Occupancy should contact Debra Finkbeiner at the township offices at 45 George St., Clearfield, or by calling 814-765-4551.
