Minutes of the Special City Council meeting held Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. in the Centerville City Council Chambers, 250 North Main Street, Centerville, Utah.

MEMBERS PRESENT

 Mayor:                                Ronald G. Russell

 Council Members:          Justin Y. Allen
                                            Sherri Lyn Lindstrom
                                             Lawrence Wright

MEMBERS ABSENT        Ken Averett 
                                            Paul Cutler

STAFF PRESENT
                                        Steve Thacker, City Manager
                                        Cory Snyder, Community Development Director 
                                        Connie Larson, Recording Secretary

VISITORS
                                Rick Bangerter
                                Mike Davey

PUBLIC HEARING – ON AMENDMENTS TO THE CENTERVILLE ZONING CODE, CHAPTER 12-36, TABLES OF USES ALLOWED – TO ALLOW A CHURCH OR PLACE OF WORSHIP IN THE A-L ZONE – CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 2008-22.

Cory Snyder, Community Development Director, explained this request is to change the Agricultural-Low (A-L) Zone to allow places of worship as a conditional use. The A-L Zone is a half-acre lot single-family development area, and places of worship are allowed in the R-L, R-M, R-H and commercial zones.  There are no historical records as to why the shift of not allowing places of worship in agricultural zones. The old historical agricultural zones did allow for places of worship, but it was taken away in 2003. Steve Thacker, City Manager, said he was involved in the 2003 update, and he does not remember how this was overlooked. Staff supports the change to allow places of worship in the Agricultural Zone. Mr. Snyder said the Planning Commission unanimously recommended changing the text.

Mayor Ronald Russell opened the public hearing. 

Rick Bangerter, 573 East 650 North, said he is representing the LDS Church, and he thanked staff and City Council for considering this issue, and making themselves available for this discussion. He said freedom of religion is important in our country, and he believes places of worship are important in the community.              

The public comment portion of the hearing was closed.

Councilman Wright made a motion for the City Council to approve Ordinance No. 2008-22.  This is an ordinance amending Table 12-36 of the Centerville City Zoning Ordinance allowing a church or place of worship as a conditional use in the Agricultural-Low (A-L) Zone.       

Findings:

1. Nothing within the General Plan indicated where the preferred location for a church or place of worship should be located.
2. The review questions found in Section 12-21-080(e)(1)-(4) of the Zoning Ordinance have been reviewed and this proposal was found to be in compliance with those questions.
3. Allowing a church within the A-L Zone with a conditional use permit will allow the City to review the safeguards provided in order for the church to be in harmony with the surrounding area.
4. Churches already exist in residential neighborhoods.
5. The Zoning Ordinance prior to the 2003 Code allowed churches and places of worship within the A-L Zone.

 Councilwoman Lindstrom seconded the motion, which was passed by unanimous roll-call vote (3-0).

ADJOURN

At 8:35 p.m., Councilman Wright made a motion to adjourn the City Council meeting.  Councilman Allen seconded the motion, which was passed by unanimous vote (3-0).

______________________________   _______10-07-08___________
      Marilyn Holje, City Recorder                                Date Approved

 _______________________________
  Connie Larson, Recording Secretary