Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals denies New Song Church’s request to skip sidewalk installation

cated at 1292 Baker Street in Plymouth.

The request was made in response to a proposal by the New Song Church to avoid the installation of a sidewalk as part of its construction project on Baker Street. The Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals met to discuss the matter and ultimately voted 4-1 against granting the variance.

During the meeting, Associate Pastor Rich Schieber and church architect Chet Gamble presented their case to the BZA. They argued that the area surrounding the church lacks consistent sidewalk infrastructure, highlighting that there are no sidewalks in front of residential properties on the south side of Baker Street or even along the high school property. Gamble contended that installing a sidewalk would pose future problems and maintenance issues, ultimately going unused.

Despite concerns raised by BZA member Jack Garner about the cost of the sidewalk and whether it had been factored into the church’s project planning, it was confirmed that the cost had been considered. The presentation did not receive any public comments, and the church emphasized that a sidewalk already existed along the entrance driveway.

In an attempt to find a compromise, the church expressed a willingness to create a crosswalk from the north side of Baker Street to the church’s driveway as an alternative to installing a sidewalk. Pastor Schieber iterated, “We asked for the variance, hopefully to appeal to some common sense.”

However, the BZA ultimately decided to deny the variance request, with a 4-1 majority vote against granting it. BZA member Brandon Richie was the only dissenting vote in favor of granting the variance.

The denial of the variance means that the New Song Church will be required to comply with the development standards and install the sidewalk as part of its construction project on Baker Street. Despite the church’s efforts to present its case and offer alternative solutions, the BZA determined that installing the sidewalk was necessary. This decision marks the end of a lengthy review process, and the church will now need to move forward with the sidewalk installation to complete its construction project.