Riverside Church, which is set to become owner of the St. Michael theater building today if a purchase agreement is signed and delivered, issued a statement regarding the City of St. Michael’s decision to issue a Conditional Use Permit earlier this week.
That came on the heels of a zoning ordinance change removing “theater uses” from an ordinance that allowed assemblies in commercial districts – an action the city took back on April 8.
A look inside the existing Riverside Church in Big Lake Township. Church services from this stage would be simulcast into theaters at the building in St. Michael.
These actions of the St. Michael Planning Commission and St. Michael City Council, about six months after voting to turn down the church’s request for a zoning ordinance variance, cleared the way for Riverside and put St. Michael in a position to abide by terms of a court-issued settlement agreement. That allowed the church to enter into its standing purchase agreement with Cinemasota, Inc., today.
“After changing its zoning ordinance earlier in the month, on April 21, 2105, St. Michael’s City Council issued a conditional use permit that would allow Riverside to use the theater property that the church has sought to purchase. While it is unfortunate that it took a lawsuit to get to this point, we are pleased the City has taken these two important steps.
“Despite this progress, the City’s past actions have created substantial financial barriers to Riverside’s proposed purchase. We will continue to work through the legal process to address these issues.