East Greenbush changing zoning error to allow church to move in – Times Union

EAST GREENBUSH When Immanuel Church decided it want to build a new 10,000-square foot church off Columbia Turnpike, town officials quickly discovered that the zoning code didnt permit religious institutions along the towns busiest highway.

I think it was a mistake, Adam Yagelski, the towns director of planning and zoning, said Tuesday about the exclusion of churches from the business district that occurred in 2008.

Its clear theres a legal issue with our code, Yagelski said.

The construction of new churches doesnt occur that often in Rensselaer Countys most populous town or throughout the rest of the Capital Region. The town is scrambling to rewrite the zoning rules to permit churches in the 110 acres along Columbia Turnpike, also known as U.S. Routes 9 and 20, and other areas that exclude the buildings from the B-2 business zone.

There are other churches in the zone, such as St. Marys and the Congregational Church on Columbia Turnpike, but they predate the 2008 zoning update. Yagelski said there are issues with the current zoning, pointing out that the St. Marys property is partially in the business zone along Columbia Turnpike while the rear of the property is in an adjoining area zoned residential.

Immanuel Church wants to raise a new church this spring on the 6.5-acre site at Columbia Turnpike to be the new home for its now 200-member congregation that's expected to grow to 350, said Pastor Brad Guenther. The church, which has Baptist roots, will fill a void in the community, the pastor said. The church will move from rented quarters at 1955 Ferndale Road in Schodack.

Beyond there being a dearth of churches in southern Rensselaer County, and believing that churches really do play a role in serving the needs of the area, the East Greenbush area is clearly important in its close vicinity to Albany, great schools, rapid growth, while maintainingthe refreshingly small town feel of a tight knit community, Guenther said.

Supervisor Jack Conway said the church could provide new community space for activities in the town.

The Town Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on adding churches as a permitted use to the zoning for Columbia Turnpike. That same night, the Immanuel Church intends to appear before the Planning Board to make its initial presentation for site plan review, which is all that would be required with the zoning change.

The town currently is updating its comprehensive plan, which also requires revising the zoning code. Conway said a review will be conducted to avoid zoning issues such as this one.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misidentified Routes 9 and 20 as New York State highways. They are U.S. highways.

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East Greenbush changing zoning error to allow church to move in - Times Union