2 downtown Crestview churches revert to original zoning

CRESTVIEW — Two of the city’s oldest churches have reverted to their original zoning following two unanimous votes of the City Council.

Councilmen on Monday passed ordinances freeing the First Presbyterian Church and LifePoint Church, the former First Assembly of God, from restrictions imposed by new downtown zoning.

The new mixed-use zone discourages several types of use, including store-front churches, but the two free-standing churches, each about a century old, were also caught under the new restrictions, which would limit their ability to expand.

After the ordinances passed their second reading, becoming law, one of the church’s ministers praised the councilmen for their decision.

“I just wanted to say thank you for working through these last two issues that stirred up a lot of emotion these last several months,” First Presbyterian’s Rev. Mark Broadhead said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2 downtown Crestview churches revert to original zoning