Commission approves rezoning for Ker Church of God property after trustee and neighbors debate C2 uses

The Bradley County Regional Planning Commission approved a rezoning request from F to C2 (general commercial) for property owned by trustees of the Ker Church of God located on Ker Road after a lengthy public discussion.

Frederick Burner, an adjacent neighbor, told the commission he was concerned the rezoning suggested the church planned to sell the property, saying the land "has been a church property for the last 40 years" and that rezoning could make it more marketable. Marilyn Kzer Kenny, identified as a trustee of the church, responded that the church sought the rezoning mainly to correct its classification for appraisal purposes and to have flexibility for possible event uses. "We are wanting to change it because... to get the correct value on it," she said, and added the trustees were not planning an immediate sale.

Pastor Roberts, who prepared the application, told commissioners he selected C2 to restore historic uses and to preserve a broad lane of allowable uses to support ministry — including the possibility of an event center — while trying to avoid heavy industrial uses. "We were trying to get it into its historic use zone... we're wanting to expand ministry," he said.

Several commissioners questioned whether apartments and other residential uses are still permitted within commercial zones. Bentley, the planning staff member, confirmed that the current zoning text still lists some residential uses in C1 and that, because C2 permits uses allowed in C1 (and P1), apartments could be allowed under C2. Commissioners flagged that as an issue for a zoning‑text revision and suggested a work session to clean up definitions and remove unintended residential allowances from commercial districts.

After discussion, the commission moved and voted to approve the rezoning request. The vote was recorded by roll call as an approval. The approval allows the trustees the zoning classification they requested; any specific uses that require separate review (for example, event center approvals or other use permits) will follow the procedures in the zoning resolution.

The commission also directed staff to distribute the updated zoning resolution and to schedule a work session to consider clarifications and definition updates.