Harmar to decide on group's application to open food pantry, worship site

Harmar’s zoning hearing board will meet Thursday to decide whether to allow Feeding the Flock Ministries to move into in a former church to open a food pantry and worship site.

The nonprofit organization hopes to move into a former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses building at 490 Nixon Road.

Township officials initially denied the application because they said Feeding the Flock wasn’t going to use the building as a church or house of worship, which are the only nonresidential uses permitted for the property. The building is in a residential zoning district.

The zoning hearing board heard testimony at the end of February and had 45 days to issue a decision.

Thursday’s meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the township building, 701 Freeport Road.

Feeding the Flock officials maintain the organization is a nondenominational Christian house of worship. They intend to offer Bible study classes for all faiths, counseling and operate a free food pantry for residents in need.

The decision comes down to what the primary use of the location will be — a house of worship or a food distribution center. The zoning hearing board also could grant the group a variance or special exception to use the property.

Feeding the Flock’s board President Ralph Ussack said in February the organization has been doing its ministry for 20 years without a location, working with other food banks and churches across the region.

The building was purchased by the organization’s vice president, Walter Reineman, as an investment property. According to the original application, Reineman said there was “no intended use” for the property at the time of purchase.

Reineman said in February he does not intend to make money off the building and bought it with the intent of investing in the needs of the community.

Feeding the Flock’s lawyer, David York, previously said Harmar’s definition of a church is broad and the organization’s planned activities fit into the definition.

The definition says a church is “the building, containing as the central room, the sanctuary and meeting place of a religious congregation, including no dwelling in the same building.”

There is no definition given for a house of worship. But township Solicitor Kate Diersen said if no definition is given then the default is to use a dictionary’s definition, which she said lists house of worship as synonymous with a church.

She said the main purpose of the location, based on testimony given during the hearing, was as a food pantry, which is not a permitted use.