Residents Say 'No' to Church Rezoning Request

A law firm hoping to expand its office in Dearborn will have to look elsewhere after his petition for a rezoning request was rejected by the city's Planning Commission.

The Jaafar & Mahdi Law Group petitioned the commission to rezone the First Church of Christ, Scientist, 22000 Morley at Monroe, from Residential C (Multiple Family Residential District) to RP (Residential Preservation District).

After hearing concerns from residents in the neighborhood surrounding the church on June 10, the commission voted 8-0 against the request, made by Michael Jaafar, president of Jaafar & Mahdi Law Group.

Jaafar told the commission that he planned to purchase the building but would allow the church to use approximately 700 square feet of the building free for 10 years for its 30 members. A 300-member Pentecostal church renting space at the building would have to relocate.

"I love Dearborn, but the fact is our business continues to grow," Jaafar said. "If we are not able to rezone this property and purchase it, we may have to look outside of the city."

Six area residents objected to the rezoning request, stating it would open up Pandora's box and allow other businesses to move into the neighborhood.

Glen O'Kray, who has lived near the church for 65 years, said he's concerned the rezoning would change the character of his neighborhood.

"Once the zoning has changed, it will never go back to residential. I'm very concerned about that. I feel if the zoning is changed, my property value will go down," he said.

Mary Bandyke, a resident of the Westborn Village Condominiums, said if the church is selling its property, she would like to see more residential housing in the neighborhood.

Jaafar informed the commission that he is having a hard time finding a building to relocate his office, however he will continue to explore available vacancies in the city.

The Dearborn City Council will vote whether to affirm or reject the Planning Commission's recommendation at its meeting in July.