For years, Northpark Presbyterian has made innovative use of its facilities. Most Friday nights, Fellowship Hall turns into Uncle Calvin’s, a popular venue for secular concerts. The church now wants to build a greenhouse that would grow produce for local food banks. But it needs the city’s okay first.
On December 8, Northpark Presbyterian submitted a zoning change application to the Department of Development Services. It states, “the proposed modification qualifies as a minor amendment to the development plan” because the addition of a greenhouse would not impact parking, affect surrounding properties or “reduce building setbacks at the boundary of the site shown on the original development plan.”
Before the greenhouse can be built, the City Plan Commission and then the City Council must approve the zoning change request. The structure would measure approximately 4,100 square feet and sit on Track 5, which you can view in the map below. It would be called the SoulFood Greenhouse.
M.E. Clary, director of media and church relations, said she could not comment on the status of the zoning change application but expects to have updates in February. She did say NorthPark Presbyterian has already started preparing the grounds for the greenhouse. The church’s website estimates the project will be complete by August 2016. Click here to learn more.
