Board approves Lakeview Church’s request to add modular building for children’s ministry

The Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals on April 1 granted conditional approval for a modification that will let Lakeview Church add a one‑story modular building to its East Lake Tarpon property for children’s ministry use.

Staff had recommended conditional approval, noting the proposed building is an accessory use to an existing place of worship and — the county said — would have minimal traffic impact because services now serve an average of 15–20 children per service. Brian Unk, speaking for the applicant, said, “This is an existing house of worship that’s existed for many years, and we’re simply adding a small accessory structure that’ll be used for Sunday services.” He added the building will not be a daycare, preschool or administrative office.

A board member moved to adopt the staff recommendation with standard conditions — site‑plan review, all permits and fees, and operating hours limited to those in the applicant’s narrative — and the motion received a second and carried. The board did not record a roll‑call vote; the clerk announced the motion carried and the Type‑2 use modification was approved.

The approval allows the church to proceed with design and permitting subject to the county’s review and the conditions outlined by staff.