Church's building permit denied

The pastor said the church won't appeal the decision.
AUSTINTOWN -- The township zoning board of appeals has denied a permit for a church to build a multipurpose building on property it owns at the corner of Idlewood and Yorkshire roads.
The Abundant Harvest World Outreach Center, 104 Idlewood Road, had wanted to build a 4,800-square-foot building. It also wanted to construct a parking lot on property it also owns across the road.
The building would have housed offices, classrooms and a kitchen. It would have been used for church activities, youth activities and wedding receptions, said Michael P. Kurilla Jr., township zoning inspector.
Objections
The zoning panel denied the conditional-use permit for the project Thursday. About six neighboring property owners objected to the building, Kurilla said.
Kurilla said neighbors were unhappy about the building style and size. He said they thought the style was too industrial looking for a residential neighborhood.
The zoning board voted unanimously to deny the permit because the proposed use wasn't consistent with the neighborhood's character; the proposed steel structure wasn't appropriate in appearance; and the parking lot plan was inadequate.
Kurilla said the lot only allowed for 38 parking spaces, but the building's capacity was for 150 to 200 people.
The church has the right to appeal the decision in the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
The Rev. Dr. Michael Pangio, pastor of Abundant Harvest, said Friday the church will not appeal. He said the church will resubmit a plan for a more modest building.
"We're going to downsize the building, make it more aesthetic, and make the necessary arrangements for adequate parking," the Rev. Mr. Pangio said.