Church
asks Smithfield council for permit to use Senior Center
for Sunday services
By Lisa
Christensen
February 29, 2008 | SMITHFIELD -- Pastor Dennis Spraggins
sought permission from the City Council to hold religious
services in the Smithfield Senior Citizens Center on
Sundays and, was told to apply for a conditional use
permit but to look for another venue.
The suggestion by the Council was made because of
conflicts in demand for use of the building at the same
time the church was to meet. The Senior Center is most
heavily used by the public on Sunday, said City Manager
James P. Gass.
"You want the same building that everybody else wants,"
he said.
Spraggins, representing the Valley Church, currently
holds meetings in his home. The Valley Church is a Southern
Baptist church and a daughter to the Maranatha Church
in Logan. The Church currently has fewer than 30 members.
Although the Council suggested Spraggins considered
using facilities comparable in size to the Senior Center,
such as the Armory or Youth Center, Spraggins said he
will apply for the permit. No motion was made by the
Council.
The Council also passed an amendment to Zoning Ordinance
08-03, on the definition of the family. The amendment
was for parking purposes, ensuring that each family
member had adequate parking so streets wouldn't be crowded
with excess cars parking by the curb. It was discussed
at the Feb. 20 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission,
which recommended three words denoting ages of individuals
within the household be dropped.
Burial fees may increase for Sunday burials in the
Smithfield Cemetary due to the need to pay employees
more for working outside of the regular work week, Gass
said. Fees for golfing may also increase but will still
be very competitive in comparison to similar golf courses,
he said.
The Council also discussed the building of a new city
office building and whether or not to tear down the
Armory in order to make room for the new building.
"If the Armory stays, there are some things that need
to be changed," Gass said, referring to the need for
renovation in the building, including replacing the
heating system and changing the outward appearance so
it doesn't look "so military."
The renovation would cost roughly $460,000. The cost,
however, would be worth it.
"It's central to the community," Councilman Michael
G. Oliverson said.
One benefit suggested in keeping the Armory is a decrease
in public outcry, said Councilwoman Kris Monson.
This is important because the public thinks there
is use left in the building, said Councilman Brent C.
Butters.
"Their perception is their reality," said Mayor Chad
E. Downs.
Other benefits of keeping the building included the
facilities themselves in the Armory. The 9,000-sq. ft
building has a basketball court as well as several smaller
rooms. It is also has a vault in which evidence for
criminal investigations is currently housed. Although
each of these amenities could be built again, there
would likely not be as much room for them, nor would
they be able to be in the same place.
"In demolishing (the Armory), we could recreate the
use but not the space," Downs said.
The new city complex will be built on a $1.2 million
budget to be paid back at 3 percent over the next 20
years.
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