Churches Push Zoning Reform

"Traditionally, a church's home is among houses or downtown. So sayeth city code.

But some clergymen now argue that's no longer practical.

They have asked the City Council to change the zoning code so that church doors can open in places like strip malls, empty stores and warehouses.

Take Pastor Jay Meyer of Cheyenne Vineyard Church. His congregation has met at the YMCA for more than a year now, storing its equipment and supplies in a trailer.

They would like a permanent home to go beyond Sunday worship. The snag is that there's little land available for development in established neighborhoods.

That explains why several new churches chose to build outside of city limits, Meyer said."