Wellspring Church asks to have Scottdale property rezoned

The Scottdale Zoning Board on Tuesday heard testimony from residents and officials with the Wellspring Church concerning the church's request to have the former Mennonite Publishing Co. property rezoned.

The property is located at 616 Walnut St.

Wellspring Church purchased the property in August and plans to use the property for a church and worship site.

The church needs the property to be rezoned for change of usage.

"The change will be from a publishing house to a place of religious worship," said zoning board solicitor Daniel Hudock of McDonald, Snyder and Lightcap. "We have to legally approve the new use since it is not in the same category of usage."

Former Mennonite team manager Neil Weaver said there would not be any additional parking or truck usage. There are more than 100 employees that worked at the publishing house when it was thriving.

"There was never any parking issues or something that the company had to deal with," Weaver said.

Wellspring Church pastor Stuart Adams said the church would see activity seven days a week but at present, the maximum number of people that have attended a Sunday worship was 150.

"We average 102," Adams said, addressing the question of parking.

Church solicitor Paul Toohey provided the necessary deeds and paperwork showing the nonprofit status of the group.

Adams said the church plans to utilize all three floors and the basement of the old publishing house with a sanctuary, classrooms and meeting areas.

Market Street resident Valerie Farino said her home is located directly behind the church and she is concerned with the loud music and the length of time that it is played.

"My biggest concern in the volume of music," Farino said. "The music is occurring at various times of the day. It's not offending music, it's very beautiful music, but this is my home.'

Adams assured her that the volume of the music will be addressed immediately and that the problem will soon be completely rectified when the permanent worship area is finished and located in the old warehouse.

Hudock said that the board will review all comments and contact Toohey's office with a decision.