Mount Ararat Baptist Church officials hope within the next three years to have a new sanctuary and multipurpose center on Universal Road near Washington Elementary School.
The Penn Hills Planning Commission last week recommended approval of Williams Management Solutions' conditional-use application for the proposed church.
The commission recommended denial of a zoning amendment filed by Jubilee International Ministry in Plum to renovate the former Foodland on Frankstown Road into a church.
The applications now go to Penn Hills Council, which will consider the plans during its 7:30 p.m. meeting April 16.
Cameil Williams, president of Williams Management Solutions in Avonworth Heights -- the agency representing Mount Ararat Baptist Church -- said the 8,000-member congregation has outgrown its East Liberty church.
Williams said negotiations are under way to purchase 47 acres in Penn Hills from property owner Gordon Frack. The new building's cost hasn't been estimated, Williams said.
"The project is in the early stages," Williams said.
The church members have not decided what they will do with the East Liberty building if they build a church in Penn Hills.
Penn Hills Planning Director Howard Davidson said the planning department recommended approval of Williams' proposal. It recommended the commission deny the Jubilee application.
"Jubilee wants to move into a vacant supermarket in a commercial (zoning) district," Davidson said. "We want to keep a retail (use) there."
Officials with the Jubilee International Ministry could not be reached for comment.
