Emmanuel Foursquare Church, located at 1325 East Cloud Street, has successfully obtained approval from the Salina City Commission to rezone its property from residential to commercial use. This decision, finalized after a unanimous 5-0 vote, allows the church to expand its operations. The classification change will allow the church options such as leasing out portions of its premises for office space and installing increased signage.
The rezoning request also brought to light an issue concerning the church's parking lot. Constructed in the 1990s, the lot was found to extend 10 feet into the public right-of-way, prompting city commissioners to address the unauthorized encroachment. While acknowledging that the extension has not posed significant practical problems, the commission deemed it necessary to formalize the arrangement.
In response, the City Commission mandated city staff to prepare a license agreement with the church, aimed at regularizing the encroachment. The finalized agreement is expected to be presented for commission approval by August 30.
