Church still in limbo as city ponders zoning for houses of worship (CITY COUNCIL ROUNDUP)

Journey Fellowship Ministries is still without a home after councilmen delayed voting Monday on amending the Land Development Code to allow churches to open in more zoning districts around town.

Pastor William Colvin brought the issue to the council after finding out that the building his congregation was meeting in on Gulf Starr Drive was in a General Commercial zone, which doesn’t allow churches. At a Nov. 16 meeting, Colvin asked the council to change the rules to allow religious groups to meet in the area.

But while most of the councilmen supported another church moving into town, many were concerned about what affect the amendment would have on local businesses since a city ordinance mandates that liquor cannot be sold within 1,000 feet of a church. Community Development Director Ken Gallander said that existing businesses within 1,000 feet of the church would be allowed to continue selling alcohol, but new businesses would have to abide by the ordinance.

Councilman Jim Bagby said that was a concern for him since new restaurants and bars frequently move into town as others close. He said that there are a couple of zones, including the North Harbor Mixed Use zone, in which he would not support the inclusion of religious institutions.

“I wish we had churches all over town,” Bagby said. “We do have churches all over town. But our restaurants and bars are hurting, and we don’t need to make it any harder for them.”

After much discussion, councilmen voted 6-1, with Councilman Dewey Destin voting no, to have staff draft an ordinance that would enable the Journey Fellowship to open but would block churches from being planted in mixed use zones.

“To restrict churches to such a small area is a bad policy,” Destin said.

The measure would be brought back before the council at a later date.

Colvin said that he is a little bit frustrated with the delay, but more at the necessity of the situation than the councilman. He said he believes the council “will do what is good, fair and right.”

In other business, councilmen voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that will allow slabs to be placed in Phase One of the Destin Cemetery after its second reading. They also unanimously approved the use of $18,000 from the city repair and maintenance account to repair a collapsed drainage pipe on First Street.

Councilmen also passed a motion, 5-1, with Wood voting no and Bagby abstaining, because he lives in a nearby neighborhood, to approve the use of $71,529 to repair damage to an existing irrigation system on Scenic Highway 98 and add irrigation to the newly constructed median in front of Destiny West. Originally, the motion called for the approval of $63,000 to repair damage done to the irrigation system in front of that neighborhood during construction on the highway. But the motion was amended to include an additional $8,529 after Rick Baker of Destiny East addressed the council.

Baker asked the council to pay for additional irrigation systems to be added to the median and north side of the road, and in return, Destiny West offered to take over maintenance of the median.

City Manager Greg Kisela warned the council that other neighborhoods in the area would likely make similar requests if this one was approved. He said the total cost to the city could be $30,000 by the time all had taken their share. But Councilman Tom Weidenhamer said that he would approve the additional $8,529 if the neighborhood would take over maintenance, and Councilman Kelly Windes agreed.

“It looks like we ought to at least leave it as good as we found it if not better,” Windes said.