P&Z panel backs approval of church’s rezoning request
The Rock Church wants to rent out space in its warehouse area
The Rock Church is one step closer to being able to rent out space in its warehouse area, following approval Monday by the Yuma Planning and Zoning Commission on a rezoning request.
Paul Mondragon, on behalf of The Rock Church Yuma Inc., asked to rezone 4.8 acres located at 2555 E. Gila Ridge Road from the Industrial Park District to the General Commercial District, while maintaining the existing Airport Overlay District.
The church has indicated that two potential tenants are interested in leasing space, one a yoga studio and another a retail/warehousing space for a local hat company.
Alyssa Linville, city principal planner, noted in a staff report that the church is aware that any future tenant will be required to meet all development standards, including those outlined within the Airport Overlay District. For example, if the hat retailer intends on using space for manufacturing, such a manufacturing area would be limited to 40 percent of the tenant suite as detailed within the zoning code.
The property was originally developed with a 32,000-square-foot building that was used as office and warehouse space. In 2017, the Rock Church requested and was granted a conditional use permit for a religious institution within the Industrial Park District.
At the time, the church indicated the possibility of future tenant space, which would be used in accordance with the permitted uses. However, Linville said, the IP District does not allow for most of the uses requested by potential tenants.
Therefore, to accommodate potential tenants, the church requested to rezone the property to the General Commercial B-2 District. Uses permitted within the B-2 District include retail sales, general offices, child care services, health studios and repair services. The church plans to divide the warehouse space into two tenant suites.
Currently, the church uses a majority of the building for religious activities, including space for worship, office, children’s ministry and the warehousing of clothing and food. It is the church’s future intent to expand the worship space into the warehousing area. However, until then, the church would like to lease this space to commercial tenants.
Adequate onsite parking will need to be evaluated with each new tenant, Linville said. Currently, onsite parking consists of a total of 153 paved and striped parking stalls. The church operates at full capacity on Sundays and various evenings during the week, but there should be no parking conflict since tenants will function during regular business hours Monday through Friday, Linville said.
“However, it must be noted that should an expansion of the worship center become a reality, additional paved and striped parking will need to be provided,” she added.
Since 2016, the church has leased 50 parking spaces to a nearby packing facility for daytime employee parking between November and April. The church would like to continue this yearly lease as a source of revenue.
Staff recommended approval of the rezoning because they are in conformance with the General Plan. The commission’s recommendation for approval will now go to the City Council, which has the final say.