Warren church zoning request draws negative reaction from some neighbors

The city has followed an unwritten policy of not allowing commercial development east of Perkinswood.
& lt;a href=mailto:dick@vindy.com & gt;By DENISE DICK & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Members of a church that owns property on East Market Street will attempt to reach agreement with residents of the surrounding area on the future of the land.
First United Methodist Church downtown bought the property on the south side of East Market Street several years ago with plans to build a new church. But financial problems at the church prevented that from happening, and the church wants to sell it.
The church has asked that the property, which is zoned for homes, be changed to allow a doctor's office.
Residents of the surrounding neighborhood presented council last month with a petition bearing the signatures of people opposed to the zone change.
Unwritten policy
Members of council, the planning commission, church and neighborhood met Friday morning.
Dan Notar, city planning coordinator, said that for years, the city has followed an unwritten policy of not granting zone changes to allow commercial development on East Market, between Perkinswood Drive and Covelli Enterprises.
Another property owner also requested that property next to the Covelli building on East Market Street be changed to commercial zoning to allow a dance studio to be built.
"If we OK one, it's going to take a snowball effect," Notar said.
Terry Heltzel of East Market Street, one of the people opposed to the zone change for the church property, said the property has deed restrictions that prevent it from becoming anything but residential.
He also said zoning precedents guard against spot zoning, which he believes the requested change would amount to.
Both he and Mike Maggiano, who also opposes the change, suggested that the church and residents attempt to work the situation out between themselves and propose something.
That leaves the request for the zone change for the dance studio. The city's planning commission tabled a decision at a meeting earlier this week.
"As far as the dance studio, I would vote yes," said Councilman Brendan J. Keating, D-5th.
The reasoning
A business there is better than an empty lot, he said, and it's unlikely someone will want to build a house next to the adjoining businesses.
Councilman John Homlitas, D-3rd, and Councilwoman Virginia Bufano, D-1st, worry that will open the door for more businesses in an area that has been reserved for homes.
"Once you get a trickle, you're going to have a flood," Bufano said.
& lt;a href=mailto:dick@vindy.com & gt;dick@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;