"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt">BAY MINETTE, Ala.  – For now,

the property belonging to Grace Fellowship Assembly of God on

Alabama Highway 59 will remain split into the two zones of

residential and business.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt">That’s because during its

regular meeting Tuesday, the Bay Minette Planning Commission denied

a request from the church’s pastor, the Rev. Bobby Creps, to rezone

the approximately 2 acres to a single zone.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt">Creps made the request because

the church is trying to sell the property, which it had acquired in

hopes of relocating there. He explained that the purchase was made

before he came on board as pastor. But once there, he realized the

property would not be large enough to build a church that would

comfortably hold a congregation of more than 350.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt">“To me, it’s not feasible,”

Creps said.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt">According to the pastor, the

church has no definite bids on the property. However, two

businesses are looking, which would require the property to have a

business zoning.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt">But Commission Chairman Carmen

Still told Creps that the commission’s policy was to first get a

site plan for how the property would be used before granting a

request to change zones.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt">“But the city of Bay Minette

building inspector and I would like to meet with you,” Bay Minette

Mayor Jamie Tillery told Creps, explaining that from there they

could have something workable to bring back to the commission.

“That will be just a discussion.”

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt">Creps agreed to the mayor’s

proposal.