
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 6, 1991                   TAG: 9103061140
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VARIANCE GRANTED FOR CHURCH

The Roanoke Board of Zoning Appeals voted Tuesday to grant a variance in parking requirements so a church can expand without adding more space for off-street parking.

The Morning Star Baptist Church will enlarge its sanctuary at 1513 Rorer Ave. S.W. to accommodate a growing membership, but it has been unable to buy additional land to provide more parking spaces that would be required by zoning regulations.

Sam Lionberger, a contractor who will build the addition, said the church has tried to acquire nearby land for parking, but none of the owners will sell.

Nearby residents have signed a statement saying they don't object to church members parking on the streets in front of their houses, Lionberger said.

If the residents are willing for the church members to park on the streets, board members said they didn't have any reason to deny the variance.

Also Tuesday, the board approved:

Variances from setback regulations to permit expansion to the sides of the existing canopy at a convenience store at 3630 Franklin Road S.W.

A special exception to permit a change in use at 2201 Carolina Ave. S.W. from an educational testing and tutoring services to an insurance office.

A special exception to permit the operation of a medical laboratory at 404 McClanahan St. S.W.

by CNB