Building for new church shrinks

A scaled down version of Valley Christian Fellowship's new church will greet county commissioners when they rehear the request for a permit on Thursday.

Commissioners have set aside 90 minutes for the church's request after agreeing with neighbors to consider additional evidence.

County staff is recommending commissioners approve a reduction in the church's size from 30,000 square feet to 18,885 square feet.

Use of the space would be required for church purposes only.

In addition, the church will have to build a screen wall, berm or combination at least 6 feet high, parking lot lights will have to be turned off by 9 p.m., signs would have to be approved separately, and removal of the ranch home and barn on the property would require an amendment of the permit.

In the new proposal, setbacks in the front, rear and side of the building would be increased. The church cupola would be 44 feet above grade and the top of the cross would be 56 feet.

Neighbors appealed the approval of the church, saying its presence would lower their property values and increase traffic in the neighborhood.

In a Dec. 9 letter, Silveranch resident Thomas Zogorski Jr. asked county commissioners to reconsider their decision to approve the church.

Commissioners voted 3-2 on Dec. 4 to approve a special use permit for the location, with Pleasantview resident Jim Baushke and Ruhenstroth resident Doug Johnson opposed. They overturned an earlier planning commission ruling against the permit.

Zogorski wrote that he's appealing commissioners' approval on behalf of the neighbors, who oppose the church because they fear it will affect their property values.

In his letter, he pointed out that the church had not received approval from the Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District for water service, and that proponents would have to obtain water rights.

He said commissioners denied a neighboring project based on traffic counts on Drayton Boulevard.