Church of God Hearing Delayed Due to 'Incomplete' Application

A contentious application to greatly expand Church of God was delayed to September after the planning board deemed the application incomplete on Tuesday night.

It's , who along with the planning board have the application during the fall. On Tuesday, though, it was the board doing the scrutinizing.

Board counsel Gail Price told those in attendance that the applicants–who intend to add two two-story additions for various rooms while reworking parking striping–did not present a complete application.

According to Price and village professionals, Church of God had done some construction work to the current site in recent years. But those changes, like HVAC work and repaving, were not reflected in the plans submitted, applicant attorney David Rutherford conceded.

"The board only reviews complete applications," Price said, recommending Church of God come back when all its Is are dotted and Ts crossed.

Board chair Charles Nalbantian, like the rest of the board, agreed with Price's recommendation to halt the application–for now.

"When I reviewed the plans I found there were too many inconsistencies," he said as he reviewed documents at the dais.

Additionally, an attorney representing Hillside Place resident Michele Lenhard (the current school board president) and another resident, Paul Mularz, said the two have potential legal issues with Church of God's application.

"One of them is a somewhat complicated legal issue we'll be bringing it here," Weiner said, adding he has no intent to delay the application but there may be some overlap between the undisclosed legal matter and the hearing the board will hold.

Lenhard declined to discuss the matter when approached for comment after the hearing.

The board unanimously approved moving the first hearing date to September 6 though Rutherford still wished to start the hearing Tuesday.

Because the revised application may contain changes to new plans, new notice will be provided.