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Planning Commission Approves Legion to Use Former Church

The Planning Commission held a public hearing and approved a conditional use permit to allow the American Legion to take up use of the former Fir Lawn Lutheran Church during the commission’s Oct. 17 meeting.

The Fir Lawn Lutheran Church at 109 W Holley Road property is in the Residential Low Density (R-1) Zone and consists of approximately 49,654 square feet. On Feb. 25, 2023, the church caught fire and the congregation has since moved off the property.

American Legion Timber City Post 133 submitted the application for a conditional use permit to the city with plans to renovate the damaged portions of the building through the building permit process once ownership is obtained. The American Legion will not occupy the building until a Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the City of Sweet Home Building Department.

Upon review of the application, city staff determined that the use of the subject property as an American Legion Hall would be similar in use to that of a church, as fraternal organizations and private clubs are in the same use category as houses of worship, per the city’s municipal code.

Area resident Timothy Walker submitted a letter opposing the proposed use of the building as an American Legion Hall. In his letter, Walker noted that the former church congregation only used the building twice a week and held evening services two times a year. The Legion, he said, would use the building regularly through the week and in the evenings while serving alcohol, thus creating a disturbance to the peace in the R-1 zone.

Walker also cited concerns of “risks,” including increased traffic and pedestrian safety, as well as potential trespassing of and theft from neighboring houses. He added there are other, “readily available” commercial properties that are in zones more conducive to where a Legion should be located.

Planning and Building Manager Angela Clegg informed the commission, in response, that the city code allows private clubs, such as an American Legion, to locate within an R-1 zone, and sidewalks for pedestrian traffic are available.

Luke and Chelsea Augsburger submitted a letter in support of the Legion’s application, noting all criteria have been met according to city code and they would “be honored to share our neighborhood with them.”

Post 133 Commander Kat Sanderson-Cox informed the commission that the Legion does not intend to install a full-on bar in the building, but rather envisions the former chapel as a community space that could be used for weddings, proms, community markets and such. Their hours of operation are not yet determined, as it depends on staffing, Legion programs and community needs, but it is expected they would probably operate weekends and nights.

After brief discussion, the commission unanimously approved the permit, which includes the following conditions: The applicant shall complete all building renovations and repairs within one year of the date of the approval of the application; the applicant shall obtain and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal permits and requirements; and the applicant shall comply with the parking standards of SHMC 17.44.060(D).

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