The Marion County’s Courthouse Square Building in downtown Salem. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter)
Whether a piece of church-owned property in the Four Corners neighborhood can become housing will be the subject of a public hearing Wednesday.
Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church wants to turn nearly two acres south of its church building into space for single-family homes and an apartment building, according to planning documents with Marion County.
The proposal would allow a developer to build up to 10 homes and an apartment complex with 51 units, according to county planners.
The church’s proposal was dealt a blow in October when a hearings officer recommended commissioners deny the request, citing traffic concerns. County planners say the latest application has attempted to fix those issues.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners will hear the matter on Wednesday during its weekly meeting.
If approved, church representatives tell Salem Reporter they hope to sell the rezoned lots to private developers because the current lot isn’t used. The church is located at 4440 State St.
“We’re not using it for anything,” said Rose Treasure, manager at the church. “It’s just sitting there not being used. It’s a big empty lot.”
Commissioners will also take a look at an audit of the county’s finances from last fiscal year, consider an appointment to its Local Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee, and discuss a potential $4.3 million grant from the Criminal Justice Commission.
Meeting details: 9 a.m., Jan. 8 at the county’s Senator Hearing Room, 555 Court Street N.E.
Commissioners: Sam Brentano, Colm Willis and Kevin Cameron.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Troy Brynelson at 503-575-9930, [email protected] or @TroyWB.
Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the location of Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
