NORMAL – Normal’s Zoning Board of Appeals members unanimously approved plans submitted by the First Assembly of God Church for a renovation project.

Mike Carothers, representing the developer on the project, Normal-based P. J. Hoerr, Inc., told Zoning Board members the church will be looking to add two more additions to the structure, including a new sanctuary, and space for classrooms.

Normal Town Council will find this matter on their June 1 meeting agenda.

Drainage problems were among principal concerns neighbors of the church had when they addresses the Board. Zoning Board member Gary Blakney said, he too, had concerns about the drainage problem after reading staff reports related to the church’s plans.

Town Planner Mercy Davison said the church is addressing drainage issues.

James Newman, 807 Spear Dr., was one of six residents in the church’s backyard who has experienced water runoff in his yard. In addressing the Zoning Board, Newman said water runoff from the church parking lot gets into his yard. He expressed the hope that the runoff would not continue throughout the church’s construction process.

Carothers said a berm would be installed to redirect water runoff. He said engineers would determine the location of the berm. Gary Cimbura, 502 Wittenberg Ct.

Mike Leahy, 907 Spear Dr., said he hopes future landscaping would be done on the church property to stop water runoff from going into neighboring yards. Carothers said new landscaping is scheduled for Spring 2010.

“As a neighbor, we welcome the project,” Paul Kowerko, 905 Spear Dr., told Board members. “I just want reassurance that the City will supervise the development the church is doing.”

“I see nothing wrong with the parking variation,” Blakney said before the meeting was adjourned. “Drainage (issues) will be addressed as (the renovation) continues.”

Chad Reinhart, a member of the church’s Building Committee, said after the meeting that the development is needed because the current facility “is just too small.”

“We’re lacking nursery space, we’re lacking child development space,” Reinhart said. “We need more room.”

On May 4, Normal Town Council passed a resolution by omnibus vote, also involving the church. That resolution approved a special use permit for the church.to have fewer parking spaces than are allowed by code.

Per Town Code, the existing church facility had to have 326 parking spaces. The church has 303 spaces. Construction would eliminate some parking spaces.

The resolution the Council passed earlier this month granted the church a variance allowing it to have 269 spaces.

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