Zoning exemption to allow church to worship in Bullskin garage
The Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board unanimously approved a special exemption on Wednesday for a place of worship in Bullskin Township, giving the small congregation an opportunity to grow.
Robert C. Stewart came before the board to ask for the exemption to hold services in a garage on his private property on Breakneck Road, just north of the intersection with Pole Cat Hollow Road, in an area zoned agricultural/rural.
Stewart said using the garage for services is a temporary measure. He said he wants to be able to advertise the church, called Sure House, and attract more people to his Apostolic Pentecostal congregation. When the church grows in numbers, Stewart said, he hopes the congregation would find a more suitable home.
Currently, Stewart said an average of about 14 people attend services regularly. He told the board the entire congregation consists of about 45 people.
“It’s hard to grow when you can’t let anyone know you’re there,” Stewart told the board, explaining that he didn’t want to advertise until he was certain all the proper permissions were secured.
The zoning board questioned Stewart about how many cars the property could accommodate in the parking area, and whether public water and sewers were connected to the garage. Stewart said if all 45 parishioners show up for a single event, he could accommodate their vehicles. He also said the garage was built on the site of a former house, and water and sewers already were connected.
The board also asked what hours Stewart plans to hold services, and he replied they typically meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and twice on Sundays, from 10:30 a.m. to noon and again from 7 to 9 p.m. The board specifically questioned whether the church planned to hold other social gatherings, particularly musical events or concerts, and Stewart said the church had no such plans.
No one objected to the request, and upon approving the exemption, the zoning board recommended Stewart contact the building code enforcement officer and secure use and occupancy permits, making sure all federal, state and local guidelines are being met.