The Bethlehem Baptist Church of Penllyn and Spring House asked for more time to work with neighbors
As reported by Wissahickon Now on July 8, many residents of Meadowcreek Circle in Lower Gwynedd Township attended a recent Board of Supervisors meeting to questioning a zoning hearing board matter, which at the time was slated for the July 11 meeting of the ZHB. However, township officials have said that will not be the case now.
The Bethlehem Baptist Church of Penllyn and Spring House has made a request for a “Special Exception” pursuant to Ordinance §1258.02(g). This exception would allow the church to use the land and any structures on the land for “religious use.” While the church already owns the land the church is on, as well as a flag-shaped piece of land behind it and has been granted the special exception religious use for those parcels, which was combined into one.
Now, the church has requested to allow a religious use at the “real property at 833 Dager Road, further identified as Montgomery County Parcel 39-00-00748-00-5,” which is currently located within the A-1 Residential District, per the ZHB of Lower Gwynedd.
As the “religious use” term is vague, neighbors were concerned as to what this may entail. Frustrated and confused residents that live next to the church in Meadowcreek Estates wanted to know more. Board supervisors suggested they meet with church officials and discuss the matter prior to the hearing.
Township officials said that the neighbors did, in fact, meet with the church on July 26, though a resolution was not yet found.
“It does not sound like they were satisfied with the church’s answers,” reported Township Manager Mimi Gleason. “It does sound like the church wants to continue to talk to neighbors.”
No further meetings had been scheduled at the time of publication.
In order to give the church and neighbors more time to discuss the matter, the hearing will be pushed to the Lower Gwynedd ZHB’s August meeting slated for Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. The church authorities requested the delay and was granted a continuance.
The Zoning Hearing Board of Lower Gwynedd Township does meet on July 11 at 6 p.m., in the Lower Gwynedd Township Building, 1130 N. Bethlehem Pike, Spring House, Pa., however the hearing on the church’s request will not be heard at that time. Gleason said that the matter will not remain on the ZHB agenda.
The ZHB is “a quasi-judicial body comprised of three members and one alternate appointed for three-year terms.” According to the township’s website, the ZHB “helps assure fair and equitable application of the zoning ordinances by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the ordinances in certain situations.”
Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., unless otherwise scheduled.
