(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s four person Board of Adjustment met Thursday evening in the Council’s Chambers at City hall, to determine if an application by the New Life Church meets the seven criteria for a Conditional Use Permit. After one-hour and 40-minutes of discussion, questions and answers, the Board unconditionally approved the request to operate a church at 28 W. 5th Street and a business office at 410 Poplar Street, in what is by Ordinance, a C-3 “Central Business District.”

More than two dozen people were present for the public hearing and discussion, but before the Board opened the hearing to consider a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the New Life Church, they called for nominations for Board Chair and Vice-Chair. Current Chair Melissa Ihnen was re-elected to the post, and Alexis Fleener was voted to be Vice-Chair. Afterward, the Board Chair reviewed the Board of Adjustment’s Role as a Quasi-Judicial Body, and the Legal Framework for Decision Making.

There were seven criteria that were examined prior to the decision to grant the permit. And, while some sticking points with regard to potential issues with parking and traffic flow, the Board ultimately concluded those issues were not insurmountable enough to warrant denying a permit. Board Chair Melissa Ihnen and Alexsis Fleener…

It was noted that a Conditional Use Permit does not mean the Board has a say on the sale of the property. That is between the owners and buyers. The Church had previously entered into a purchase agreement with Atlas Atlantic Cinema property owners Jacob and his wife Rylea Anderson, with whom they had been renting the building prior to the decision to purchase.

Jacob Anderson

Pastor Ben Winford

Board of Adjustment

Ben Winford, Senior Pastor of the New Life Church, said they have looked at other sites, but the ones they have explored so far, are either too costly at the onset, or don’t fit their needs.

He said they ended up at their building at 6th and Pine Streets, but that has had some structural issues, which is why they inquired about renting the Atlantic Theater. Jacob Anderson said after meeting with Pastor Winford, it was agreed to rent the space, and he had high praise for what’s transpired since.

He said they know or no complaints about the building or use of it, for the purposes of a church. The Board and audience heard next from the property owners of 28 W. 5th an 410 Poplar Streets. Roger Steffens spoke as an abutting property owner. He owns a business across the Street from the theater and to the west. Steffens recounted fond memories he had of the theater, which he said was a church back in the 1940’s, and that he was baptized there. Steffens alleged some groups conspired to block the sale of the building to the church.

There were only two people who signed-up to speak during the hearing. Angie Johnson owns a grooming business on 4th Street. She said she’s glad the church is growing, but she said her clients, some of which come from out of town, often ask what there is to do downtown after 5-p.m. The theater was one option, when it is open.

She cited also, the historical value of the building that houses the theater, and was in favor of keeping the building as a theater. Barb Jorgensen, owner of the Little Cobbler, also spoke about the historical significance of the theater, and efforts to save it.

Rylea Anderson said renting their building to the church, helped when attendance at the theater was low. She said attendance has been declining for quite some time, and the scene is the same in a lot of small towns, and there’s not much of an expectation theater attendance will rise again.