Wednesday, August 18, 1999
Butler church makes case for teen home
Court to rule on Monroe zoning soon
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE — A judge could rule within two weeks on whether Solid Rock Church can build a home for pregnant, unwed teens on a site next to the church.
Judge Keith M. Spaeth of Butler County Common Pleas Court heard arguments from the church and the city of Monroe on Tuesday.
“We argued that the church should be able to build the home under the 1985 conditional-use certificate,” said C. Francis Barrett, who represents the church. “We maintained that this was a church-related use, part of the purpose of a church, and it was fulfilling one of the many ministries of the church.”
City Law Director Philip Callahan countered that the home is not a church, that the 1985 zoning certificate did not provide for the home and that the board of zoning appeals has the discretion to interpret its code and deny the use.
In January, Jay Stewart, assistant city manager, denied the church's application to build the home using the old conditional-use permit.
The city board of zoning appeals upheld the ruling, and the church appealed to the court.
The church on Union Road initially announced its plans for the $1 million home for 30 teens in spring 1998.
Church neighbors Jay and Helen Frick object to the plans, saying it could harm the marketing of their property.
“We felt (the hearing) went good, based on some of the questions the judge had for Mr. Barrett,” Mr. Stewart said. “We're optimistic the judge will uphold our ruling.”
Mr. Barrett said the church will await that ruling before making further decisions.
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