Church withdraws variance request in East Cobb neighborhbood Archives

Grace Resurrection Methodist Church has withdrawn a request for two variances for its plans to build a new campus in an East Cobb neighborhood.

According to an agenda for Wednesday’s Cobb Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, the request was withdrawn without prejudice, meaning it can be brought back at any time.

The agenda item and related documents didn’t include filings to indicate a reason for the withdrawal; East Cobb News has left a message with Grace Resurrection seeking more information.

The church had been seeking variances to build a 15,000-square-foot building and a 286-space parking lot on Oak Lane, near the intersections of Casteel Road and Bill Murdock Road.

They hired prominent zoning attorney Kevin Moore to represent them before the BZA, a five-member appointed body that hears requests for zoning variances and appeals for waivers to county zoning ordinances.

The church didn’t need to get rezoning for the 6.49-acre Oak Lane property, since it’s zoned for residential use, as are worship facilities.

Oak Lane is a minor or local road, and the Cobb County Code requires churches located in residential areas to have direct access to a major or collector road.

The church also was requesting a variance to reduce a required 50-foot setback to eight feet for an accessory structure, a 6,200-square-foot playground (case filing here).

But community opposition built as the plans were revealed, and church leaders have said the Oak Lane property is one of several options they’re considering.

Grace Resurrection, which formed in 2022 out of what is now Mt. Bethel Church in 2023, currently operates in a former Lutheran church building on Indian Hills Parkway at Roswell Road.

But church leaders said they’ve outgrown the space that’s leased from the adjacent Congregation Etz Chaim synagogue.

Residents said traffic in the Oak Lane area is already a problem with narrow, curvy roads, and they’re concerned about noise, light and environmental issues.

An online petition said that 22 proposed LED light poles for the potential church property “will cause excessive light pollution affecting the tranquility of our area. Coupled with the anticipated noise from regular playground activities and numerous events, the peace and quiet we currently enjoy will likely be shattered.”

Editor’s Note: Rev. James Williams, the Grace Resurrection senior pastor, responded on social media after this story was published that “Yes, Oak Lane Community, there is a Santa Claus! Seriously, we appreciate all of the good and kind feedback. Keep us in your prayers.”