City-County Council to decide on controversial church rezoning
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The City-County Council is expected to discuss whether to certify a rezoning request at it’s meeting Monday evening.
The request surrounds St. John United Church of Christ at the corner of German Church Road and East Washington Street in the town of Cumberland.
The church’s purchase by Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle has been the center of controversy after the town said the company wants to tear down the historic church to build a 24-hour convenience store and gas station.
“We are opposed to the gas station use. We support the congregation and their desire to move on. We wish them the best, but unfortunately a gas station just isn’t the right use for that location,” said Christine Owens, director of the Town of Cumberland’s Planning and Development.
Owens said there are more than half a dozen gas station within a half a mile of St. John.
The town would like to see the 5-acre site used for a mixed used development that will help the town to become more transit, one of the goals in the town’s 2031 comprehensive plan that was approved by the city of Indianapolis last fall.
Stay tuned to 24-Hour News 8 for the latest on the council’s decision.