Ridley zoner rejects plan for church at Barnaby’s
>> The verdict is in. The application by the New Destiny Christian Center to operate a place of worship at what is now Barnaby’s and Heritage Ballrooms on MacDade Boulevard has been denied after a review by the township’s zoning officer.
“A place of worship is not a permitted use in a C-2 Commercial District,” said zoning officer John Ward on Monday, adding that the applicant can file an appeal to the ruling.
Ward also cited the fact that the restaurant/ballrooms has 74 allotted parking spaces and the zoning ordinance requires 290 spaces. The discrepancy in the number of parking spaces required is because the current parking regulation for the restaurant and ballrooms is covered under a non-conforming use status.
“When you change the nonconforming use, you change that status.” he said.
Ward said if church Pastor David Verdecchia decides to appeal his decision, the next step will be for the church to go before the township zoning hearing board. If the board denies the application, the church can make a further appeal to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media. Ward said he understands that settlement on the purchase of the property is set for April 17.
“I explained to the pastor that he has every right to appeal my decision,” Ward said.
A call to the church pastor for comment on the zoning officer’s decision has not been returned.
The proposed location of the church has met with some online opposition from many residents in the community. Online comments have included references to the church planning to operate a soup kitchen at the site. Ward addressed those comments.
“There is nothing on the application regarding a rumored soup kitchen,” he said.
In a related matter, Tim Pettyjohn, general banquet manager for Heritage Ballrooms, said the owners of the business have instructed him to continue to accept reservations for the venue.
“We have no weddings booked but we have events booked into December,” Pettyjohn said.
Barnaby’s owners have not returned calls for comment on the possible sale of the longtime MacDade watering hole and restaurant.