NORTHFIELD — As a result of a growing congregation and plans to build a new church at 24 Main St., the Community Bible Church’s 781 Millers Falls Road property could soon be home to Mass Rural Water Association offices.
That is, if the Zoning Board of Appeals signs off.
According to the Rev. Robert Emberley, his church is seeking a special permit to change the use of the property from church to office space.
The ZBA met on Jan. 11 to discuss the matter, but continued the meeting until Thursday, Jan. 25, Emberley said. The one concern raised, he said, came from an abutter, who wondered what would happen if the special permit was granted and the Mass Rural Watershed Association sold the building. In other words, if it was zoned for business offices, would that mean a larger company could come in?
Emberley said the board wanted a chance to research the matter, but suspected the board could issue the permit specifically for the Mass Rural Watershed Association under the condition that, if the building were to be sold, the zoning would revert back to residential-agricultural.
The sale to the Mass Rural Water Association for $131,600 is contingent upon the ZBA’s approval, Emberley said. As part of the deal, the Community Bible Church also needs to update the septic system.
“It’s really a good fit for them,” Emberley said. “I hope it works out.”
The Mass Rural Watershed Association, a nonprofit trade association of rural water and wastewater systems, has office space at 168 Main St., according to the association’s website. When reached by email, Executive Director David Kaczenski declined to discuss the sale until after the ZBA reaches a decision.
Seeing how the 781 Millers Falls Road property lacks space for Emberley’s congregation of about 50 people, the Community Bible Church has sought alternative spaces, meeting in the Pioneer Valley Regional School auditorium and the Northfield campus’ Dolben Library. Since mid-November, the congregation has met at Camp Northfield at 96 Wanamaker Road, Emberley said.
Meanwhile, the church is designing a new building for the 0.8-acre plot at 24 Main St. donated by the Rice family in February 2011. Due to a connection to Scott Key, philosophy professor at California Baptist University, Emberley arranged for the college’s architectural students to help.
“They’ll work with us for free just to help us with design as they’re learning the process,” Emberley said. “We’re challenged by space and, obviously, cost. This is just really a godsend.”
The sale of the old property will be instrumental in raising money to construct a new building, Emberley said.