A former agricultural supply store and salon on West Robinson Avenue could see a new life as a church if its rezoning request is approved.
On July 15, Zachary Higgins, pastor of New Creation Church of Grovetown and owner of 211 W. Robinson Ave., went before the Grovetown Planning Commission to request the 1.28-acre property be rezoned as a commercial corridor district so the congregation could meet there.
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“This property falls in the commercial character area,” said Jonathan Bush, interim director of planning and development. “What’s strange about that is that they rezoned it to residential. Based on that the staff is recommending for approval, we would like to see that match up with the (Grovetown) Comprehensive Plan.”
For a church to be established, it would need to be zoned as a gathering place, or a place of assembly, which would require a conditional-use permit.
The church had met on the property for two years before Higgins became aware of the zoning issues. Higgins contacted Bush to assist in applying for rezoning and applied for the rezoning in May. The congregation has been holding services at Liberty Park since March.
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Bush noted that though the staff recommended approval, approval was conditional based on the facility being ADA compliant and undergoing an inspection for fire capacity.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the rezoning application considered by the city council.
Bush said expects the application for rezoning will be on the agenda for the Grovetown City Council on Aug. 9.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
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