Conditional Use Permit approved for a church

LA GRANDE – The City of La Grande Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit for a church at 1413 Adams Avenue.  The downtown commercial zone is predominantly intended for retail, restaurants and other customer oriented businesses, with residential uses on the upper floors.  According to the Planning Commission, assembly uses is not always compatible with those kinds of surroundings as they may generate high parking demand, noise and other impacts that sometimes conflict the their neighbors.  For these uses, a conditional use permit is required so the surrounding property owners have an opportunity to be involved in the land use decision and the Planning Commission could impose conditions of approval to mitigate conflicts if necessary.

Michael Boquist, Community Development Director said, “There were no compatibility conflicts or concerns identified for this church at this location.  The Commission approved their request as proposed”.