From the Scranton Times Tribune: Scranton church gets conditional approval

A fledgling church won city zoning approval Wednesday to stay open, but on the condition that parking requirements are addressed.

The zoning board voted 3-2 to grant Maranatha Ministries Pentecostal Church’s appeal to occupy 1110-1112 Prospect Ave., but the church must provide written confirmation that it has permission to use a nearby church’s parking lot during services.

Zoning officials in October found the property did not meet place-of-worship zoning criteria as the space was less than the 10,000 square-foot minimum in a residential area, parking was inadequate and there was an illegal apartment conversion on one floor and nonpermitted restoration on two abandoned apartments on another.

The board granted variances on all the issues contingent on the parking. Church officials said they have a verbal agreement with the Polish National Catholic Church to use that church’s parking.

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The board did not give the church a deadline to produce the letter —” technically, the 40-member church cannot operate until it satisfies the parking condition.

—The city will give them a reasonable amount of time,— solicitor Dan Penetar said.

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The Rev. Benitez moved his parish from another part of Scranton to the Prospect Avenue building in April and said he is confident all issues will be resolved.

—I’m at peace,— the Rev. Benitez said after the vote.