Chosen Presbyterian Church has a new home. That’s because the Fairfax City Council recently approved a special-use permit enabling the church to operate at 3843 Plaza Drive in an area zoned for commercial-retail uses.
The site is an existing two-story building, with the upper level used for worship and fellowship, and the lower level also used for fellowship, plus offices. In the future, that spot is designated as business-commercial.
City staff noted that, on Sundays and during special events, the church will need to share parking with the nearby homeowners’ association.
Appearing before the Council during the public hearing for this matter, Carol Kim, representing the church, explained why a new location was needed.
“We’ve been renting space in the Little Run Elementary School for almost 13 years,” she said. “But we feel it’s important for our families to actually have a church site.”
Then the public got to weigh in on the proposal, and reaction was mixed. Greg Modisett, who owns two units across from that spot, spoke in support of the church. “Having them there would help with security,” he said. “And I think they’d make a good neighbor.”
However, Dr. Michael Bassiri disagreed. “I own a dental practice next door, and I’m against it because we have another Korean association in our building that’s turned into a disaster,” he said. “The church is asking for more parking, and their overflow will take up my parking spaces.”
Stressing that the current zoning is for professional uses, Bassiri said, “This church will keep growing and the zoning change will affect us badly.” He also said that location has no handicap access and contended that Chosen Presbyterian could find another vacant site, instead.
But Howard Cunningham, who owns a unit in the next building, said, “The dentist is on the other side of the parking lot. There are 69 parking spaces – plenty of space. I have no objection to the church being there, and I want to see that building occupied.”
James Wainwright, though, has an office in the Old Lee Plaza office complex and told Council members to deny the permit. “You’re creating a dangerous precedent in this complex,” he said. Referring to another Korean church across the hall from him, Wainwright said, “They’ve been loud with their piano, drums and chanting. It’s a nuisance; I wanted a quiet office area.”
Councilwoman Janice Miller asked if the City has received any complaints about that other church. And Brooke Hardin, director of Community Development and Planning, replied, “Not as far as I know.” He also noted that a time limit could be placed on the special-use permit, to enable it to be reviewed before renewal, and said City staff would recommend one or two years.
“Is there any correlation between that other organization and the applicant’s church?” asked Councilman Sang Yi. Hardin answered that he wasn’t aware of any. Yi then asked Kim if Chosen Presbyterian is affiliated with the other church, at all, and she said no. She further explained that it’s part of the Presbyterian Church of America.
Miller then made a motion to approve the permit, provided the church submits a shared-parking agreement between it and the nearby condo association and has no more than a maximum of 40 people there on weekdays. Hours of operation on Sundays are 8 a.m.-7 p.m., with a maximum of 82 attendees then and during special occasions. Yi then seconded the motion and the Council approved it unanimously.