Planning commission recommends DeKalb church expansion with lighting and screening conditions

The DeKalb City Planning and Zoning Commission voted June 5 to recommend that the City Council approve a special use permit allowing Hillrest Covenant Church to expand its sanctuary, add classrooms and enlarge its parking area at 1515 North First Street, subject to lighting and screening requirements.

Tim Sudter, chairperson of Hillrest Covenant Church, told the commission the congregation has grown rapidly and the project is intended to keep the church in the neighborhood while accommodating that growth. "Hillrest is a neighborhood church. We love our property. We love our building. We love our neighborhood," Sudter said, adding the building footprint would increase by about 2,900 square feet and the sanctuary capacity would be up to about 350 people.

City staff and the architect described site improvements intended to reduce neighborhood impacts, including a stormwater detention basin, enlarged parking to reduce on-street parking, a six-foot privacy fence and landscaping to screen headlights, and downward-directed lighting with cutoff lenses. "The lighting we would propose would be... set in from the property line by at least 40 feet and then it would have the appropriate cut off to meet your ordinance," Rice Point architect Chris Laurette said, describing 20-foot poles with cutoff optics.

Staff reported two written concerns from nearby residents — Dennis and Beverly Heeney of 1519 Margaret Lane and Dwayne and Jackie Brown of 108 Ridge — who objected to potential light spill and screening near their homes. The applicant and staff told the commission the church had met with the neighbors and that a photometric plan and final lighting placement will be required with permits to demonstrate compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

Construction sequencing and site security also drew questions. "All during the construction, we're going to have a construction fence around the area for security," said Dave Jellers, the project's general contractor, adding the work will be phased and the church intends to remain open for services. The team said construction would begin in August, the overall buildout is expected to take about one year, and the parking work is an immediate priority with a goal of initial asphalt before November.

Commissioner Brian moved that the commission forward its findings of fact and recommend City Council approval of the special use permit per the staff site plans, with the condition that parking-lot lighting be installed to prevent glare on adjoining properties and that cutoff lenses direct light away from neighboring parcels. The motion was seconded and passed with three votes in favor and one abstention (Sisler).

The commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the DeKalb City Council for final action. Staff materials referenced a staff report and exhibit A dated June 11, 2026, that describe site plans and recommended conditions in greater detail.