Commission approves Holy Protection Orthodox Church site plan after neighbors raise safety and access concerns

The Murray City Planning Commission voted to grant site‑plan approval for Holy Protection Orthodox Church at 6109 South 900 East, but the vote followed extended public comment and a detailed staff review that identified several conditions to protect access, fire safety and neighboring properties.

David Rogers, presenting staff analysis, said the proposed 8,000‑square‑foot, one‑story‑plus‑basement building sits in the general office zone and would provide 19 parking stalls based on the applicant’s plan to install 19 pews 7 feet long (the city’s code calculates church parking from pew length). Rogers said city engineering and fire departments required a 20‑foot paved access drive for two‑way access, and that the applicant must show a six‑foot masonry wall (or equivalent post‑and‑panel screening accepted as meeting masonry standards) between the site and adjacent residential property before a building permit will be issued.

Neighbors spoke at length. As read into the record, Tracy Foster (6165 S 900 E) urged the commission to “consider alternatives for access, ideally a direct entry from 900 East that does not rely on our shared private road,” arguing that the private driveway is too narrow and that Sunday parking at nearby Wheeler Farm produces overflow into the lane. Multiple residents raised similar points: narrow private‑lane width, limited sight lines onto 900 East, potential construction impacts and fears that overflow parking or lane use during special events could block driveways and endanger children. One neighbor said recorded crash statistics on 900 East underscored safety risks.

Architect Jesse Allen and the applicant said they would modify the site plan to provide the required 20‑foot paved access, work with UDOT if work is needed on 900 East, and evaluate screening options that minimize impacts to large trees. Allen described the congregation as “a tight knit group of existing Orthodox members” of roughly 30 people today and said the sanctuary’s design should accommodate growth while meeting code.

Staff and the city legal/engineering teams reported they had reviewed recorded easement documents and an ALTA survey indicating access rights via the private lane and measured an existing 22‑foot apron near 900 East; they said any paving or work that affects UDOT right‑of‑way would require UDOT permits. Commissioners emphasized that engineering and fire must sign off on building permits and that the approval would not authorize construction before conditions are satisfied.

Commissioner Kling moved to grant site‑plan approval subject to ten conditions; the motion passed by roll call with all commissioners voting yes. The conditions require the applicant to satisfy engineering, fire and utilities comments, provide the 20‑foot paved access, show required screening between commercial and residential uses, meet landscaping and parking code (including ADA stalls), and obtain separate permits for signage and other work. The decision moves the project to the building‑permit review phase, where engineering and fire will confirm the required access and safety measures prior to construction.