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We want to share important information with you regarding a rezoning application that Christ Church has submitted. Please take a moment to read the following letter from The Very Rev. Tom Purdy, Rector, and James Turner, Senior Warden, which provides additional details and context about this process:
Last week, Christ Church filed an application with Glynn County to rezone our main campus and two adjacent parcels. The proposed zoning is intended to bring the three parcels composing the Christ Church campus under one consistent zoning district. For simplicity, we are requesting that our parcels be designated as a single “Planned Development” unit. While the term “planned development” may sound concerning initially, there are no drastic changes in the language or the usage we are proposing. Rather, this proposal, if approved, will merely give us greater flexibility to fulfill our mission and remove uncertainties in how we may use our properties. Indeed, Planned Development designations are common for active congregations on St. Simons Island.
We have three separate parcels between the historic cemetery and church, the six acres adjacent to Fort Frederica, and the parcel that adjoins the Wesley Garden, containing our labyrinth. Each of the parcels is currently subject to different zoning requirements, which presents challenges to and uncertainties for our current and future parish activities. For example, our main parcel containing the cemetery, Christ Church, and the Parish Hall, is currently zoned “Conservation Preservation,” which is not the most fitting designation for active churches. Our goal of securing zoning that is more reflective of our uses is the primary driver in our decision to seek rezoning application.
Our application ensures that our existing, publicly available Master Plan could be implemented in the future without having to seek exemptions or variances to a Conservation Preservation designation. For example, if approved, our rezoning would clarify that Christ Church can rent space for groups to use in our Parish Hall or in our kitchen if it chooses. Similarly, a rezoning would clarify that we could offer a small community farmers market or a craft fair in our parking area, if ever we choose to do so.
Please know that we do not wish to be zoned commercially, nor are we proposing language that would lead to any radical development in the future. Indeed, the language of our proposed zoning text largely incorporates existing Conservation Preservation with specific, enumerated uses, current and potential, that make sense for our parish.
We and the Vestry cherish the history and aesthetic of our parish property and have endeavored to retain and conserve those resources in this proposal. We believe that this zoning change is the most faithful action we can take to ensure that we are both operating appropriately within our zoning and mitigating costly potential requests for exceptions in the future.