By KJ Mushung
Dumfries, Va. —After nearly an hour and 45 minutes of listening to public comments, most from people associated with Grace Church, the Dumfries Town Council members looked a little worn. Forty-three people from various parts of Northern Virginia pleaded with the council not to pass a proposed amendment that would require churches to obtain a conditional use permit in order to operate. This move would be too costly to the church and force Grace Church and other churches out of Dumfries, according to many who commented Tuesday evening.
“This proposed change would eliminate churches and nonprofit organizations from B-1 zoning classification. The change would require churches like Grace Church to file a change of use permit. Such a permit would cost our church thousands of dollars in both legal fees and other special requirements, greatly reducing our ability to serve the town of Dumfries,” wrote Bishop Dr. Derek Grier in a letter to Mayor Fred Yohey Jr.
Grier also spoke several times during the course of the evening on the adverse affects the proposed amendment would have on the church and, because of the services it provides and its connection with the Dumfries Youth Center, the community as a whole.
“Churches are not required to pay taxes, but we do provide services for the community that far outweigh the taxes that we are spared,” Grier’s letter continued.
Town Planner David Moss said the change would mean that churches would be moved from allowed use to conditional use.
In addition to the numerous speakers, many more members, volunteers and employees of Grace Church crammed the meeting room and the adjacent building.
In the end, however, the council passed the first reading of the proposed amendment 4 to 3, moving it forward to a second reading and a vote on Sept. 20. Mayor Yohey, Vice Mayor West, along with council members Barr and Jurgensen voted to pass the first reading while Foreman, Forrester and Toney voted against it.
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