Roselle panel supports plan for new chapel

Fourth Avenue Gospel Church is one step closer to getting permission to build a new chapel in Roselle.

Roselle's planning and zoning commission on Tuesday night unanimously approved the church's request for a special-use permit to build a 24-seat chapel next to a house at 100 E. Devon Ave. The panel also supported a proposal to annex the land into the village.

Village board members will get the final say on whether the annexation and construction can proceed. The village board is expected to consider the commission's recommendations on June 28.

Church leaders approached the village in 2017 after issues trying to remodel the property through Cook County. They want to annex the land into Roselle to get municipal water and sewer service.

For the past seven years, Fourth Avenue Gospel has been using the house as a place of worship for its small Christian congregation. If built, the new chapel would be used for Sunday worship, Bible study and prayers.

On Tuesday, plan commissioners expressed support for the church's plan, citing a lack of serious disturbances.

"They have been doing it for seven years with no complaints from their neighbors," Commissioner Tom Stringfellow said. "I see no problem with this."

Steve Johnstone, a developer of the property and member of the church, reassured commissioners and residents that the church would not cause any disruptions in the area. Johnstone said he and other church members will collectively spend up to $30,000 for various improvements to the house.

"It is our utmost priority to make sure we don't negatively impact the neighborhood," Johnstone said. "We will not have any day care services or anything that may cause commotion in the area."

The church plans to retain ownership of the house after the construction of the chapel is completed.