The City of Cincinnati has zoning plans that will adversely affect Churches & social services

This video is from today's service.  It regards a plan in Cincinnati that would inhibit our ability to minister to our neighbors throughout the city where we would no longer be permitted to provide social services.  We could only come together for worship services in our church buildings within city limits.  The Constitution protects the rights of faith based organizations and the separation of Church & State goes both ways.  If anyone should be allowed to provide social services it is those involved in the church.  Of course it seems the church flourishes all the more when persecuted but we still must stand against injustices such as this.

Your support in this matter is absolutely needed.  If you are in the Cincinnati area and can attend the meeting on Tuesday, February 10th at City Hall, Please Do and pray that we can overcome this injustice.

Please watch this video and then read the documents below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1JGBW8-u0s

The freedom to provide life changing programs and social services by non-profits and faith based organizations are in jeopardy.  The City of Cincinnati’s Planning Commission will make 32 revisions to the Zoning Code that will limit the number, type and location of non-profit organizations, faith-based groups and churches throughout every neighborhood in the city of Cincinnati.  Please mark your calendar and plan to attend a Special Public Meeting on Tuesday February 10, 5:30PM at City Hall to voice your opinion regarding these changes. 

 

At Tuesday’s meeting the Planning Commission will review and listen to public feedback on the 32 proposed revisions to the current Zoning Code.  These proposed changes will regulate social services, non-profits, churches and other faith-based group more stringently than any other business, including sexually oriented business in the city of Cincinnati. 

 

One of the many changes if approved, non-profits, churches and other organization will not be able to add new programs, expand or build new structures without the express and written consent of the Director of Planning of the City of Cincinnati. The proposed changes to the Zoning Code are a harmful to those he needs the help the most during one of the most economically difficult times in our nation’s history. 

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What Do These Text Amendments Mean To You?? 
 

• If you are a “Religious Assembly” that currently offers social services or community programs, you will become a “non-conforming use”. 

• If you are a “Social Service Facility” whose current operations will not meet the requirements of the proposed amendments, you will become a “non-conforming use”. 

      What is a “non-conforming use”?

• May continue exactly “as is”.
• Cannot expand building.
• Can add services within existing building but only with approval of Hearing Examiner following public hearing.
• Depending on location, may be able to substitute use with Hearing Examiner approval following public hearing.
• If building is “substantially” destroyed, it cannot rebuild.

 

What if you decide to relocate your social service facility to another location in the City? 

      If the use is under 25,000 square feet it must: 

• Be permitted in the zoning district.
• Must meet “service goals” established in text amendments.
• Must be operated by nonprofit/charitable organization in Ohio.
• You must document that there is not another social service facility within 500’.
• You must provide buffer yards.

•  
  If the use is over 25,000 square feet it must:

• Be permitted in District or approved by the Hearing Examiner as a Conditional Use follow a public hearing.
• Must meet “service goals” established in text amendments.
• Must be operated by nonprofit/charitable organization in Ohio.
• You must document that there is not another social service facility within 1,000’.
• Must document that the site is 500’ from any schools, Single Family Residence District or Riverfront/Recreational District.

 

      All social service facilities must supply a “Control Plan” that includes: 

1. Facility description
2. Management plan
3. Litter control plan
4. Security plan
5. Loitering and noise control plan
6. Crime prevention plan through environmental design
7. Point of contact

 

• The “Control Plan” is to be reviewed and approved by the Director of the Department of City Planning and Building. 

If ALL of these requirements are met/approved, THEN you can move forward with the project.