Members of a Saint John church will be allowed to worship in a tent set up in an industrial area of the city.
On Tuesday, the city’s planning advisory committee approved temporary zoning for His Tabernacle Family Church.
Pastor Philip Hutchings requested to place a tent at 40 Ashburn Lake Road as a “temporary venue” for a place of worship.
The church previously operated out of an events venue on Rockland Road but was forced to close in October after allegedly violating COVID-19 measures.
Hutchings also served a week behind bars for being in contempt of court for breaching COVID-19 rules.
The tent will only be used on Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The temporary zoning will remain in effect for one year.
“It is noted through discussions with the applicant their ultimate intent is to obtain a suitable location for a permanent building,” said a staff report to the committee.
The planning advisory committee received more than a dozen letters in support of the zoning request.
Members of the committee had a few safety concerns with the location being in an industrial area.
However, staff clarified the neighbourhood does not have high hazards on Sundays as most of the industry in the area is closed.
Staff also mentioned there are conditions to this zoning, such as the applicant must prepare and implement a fire safety plan, and care of the tent, its safety systems, and occupants, and that the plan is reviewed by the fire department.
City staff also added that a condition was changed to meet building permit criteria.
Originally the staff report brought up that the tent would have to come down after service was complete on Sundays.
However, that was changed to ensure the applicant does not have to reapply for another building permit.
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