Zoning OKs church operation in CK

The Zoning board approved Monday a conditional use application for the operation of a church on a residential property in Chalan Kanoa.

Luisito Baltazar of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. is now permitted to operate Blessed Temple Christian Fellowship on a residential lot located along Chalan Kanoa Drive. The area is zoned as village residential.

Board chair Diego Blanco, vice chair Joe Limes, secretary Ed Arriola, and member Herman Sablan voted to approve the application after the Zoning Office gave its recommendation to the board. Board treasurer Alice Igitol was absent.

Zoning administrator Therese T. Ogumoro said in her presentation that the applicant proposes seven ADA-compliant parking stalls in front of the property, with three to four more parking stalls on the right side of the building. The applicant also has an agreement with an adjacent property owner for seven more parking stalls.

The applicant, who was off-island during the public hearing, was represented by Manuel Cisnero who came with three other members of the Blessed Temple Christian Fellowship.

Cisnero disclosed that their church has a congregation of less than 50. The members, he said, are usually picked up by a church vehicle to attend any fellowship.

Janice Tenorio, who owns the property leased for the church’s use, also arrived with her husband in support of the application approval. She said she is leasing out the property on a year-to-year basis.

According to Tenorio, she knew before leasing out the property that it will be used to conduct church services. “I went down to my neighbors toward the south end and around and they have no problems having a church there,” Tenorio told the board.

Tenorio noted that she reminded the church officers and pastors to “respect” and “be mindful” of their church hours given that there are other residents in the area and that the property is also in proximity to another church, the Mount Carmel Cathedral.

The approval comes with six conditions. The church should not park vehicles along public streets on the side or front of the proposed project at any time; landscaping maintenance of the property; apply for a sign permit with the Zoning Office before installing any signs; post “entrance” and “exit” signs for directional and safety purposes, with the exit gate not less than 14 feet wide; and should screen any trash bins from public view.