Holmes Beach commissioners are considering a request from leaders at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, to rezone church-owned property to residential. This would allow the property to be sold.
The property currently is zoned PSP or public/semi-public.
“We’re here to save the church,” attorney Scott Rudacille said, speaking for the church at the July 12 commission work session. “The church is not in a financial position to continuing operating the way it’s been operating.”
Gloria Dei plans to use the funds from the sale of the lot adjacent to the church — primarily used for overflow parking — to fund continued operations.
“I’m so sad this is happening to the church,” Commissioner Jean Peelen said. “It’s the scourge of vacation rentals that this is happening.”
City planner Bill Brisson presented commissioners with a pros-and-cons list for rezoning the property, recommending, if the application is approved, that the lots be rezoned R-2, medium density, which would allow for duplexes and short-term rentals on the combined 1.06 acres.
“The worst-case scenario, in my opinion, is four duplex units are built on the property, making a total of eight units,” Brisson said. “I don’t believe it’s in the public’s best interest to add potential vacation rentals.”
While the church would like to sell the property as two platted lots, Brisson said the division of the property is undocumented and would have to be approved by commissioners before a sale. A site plan showing sufficient parking for the size of the church also would be needed for the city to rezone.
Whether the parcel is sold as one or two lots, if it is purchased by a single owner and zoned R-2 medium-density, a maximum of 10 units can be placed on the lot as long as the structure meets setback requirements, according to Brisson.
Commissioner Marvin Grossman expressed concerns with the application, primarily increased traffic if the lot is developed to its maximum. He also had concerns for the future finances of the church.
“What happens when the money runs out?” he asked.
Attorney Jim Dye, sitting in for vacationing city attorney Patty Petruff, reminded commissioners the finances of the church are not a factor in their considerations to rezone the property.
“The decision to rezone the property is quasi-judicial — if the evidence presented supports the rezoning, then you’re basically obligated to grant the rezoning,” Dye said. He said future use of the property also cannot be used in the determination.
The application moves to a planning commission discussion, scheduled for Aug. 17, and will go back to the city commission with the planners’ recommendation before a vote is scheduled.
Commissioners will next meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.