PORT ANGELES — The pastor of a church whose current building was hit with a no-occupancy order from the county last week will search for another meeting place rather than defy the order.
“I was told each person who walked in the door would be fined $325, and I’m not going to put my people through that,” said Pastor Mark Weatherford of Eastern Hills Community Church.
The county issued the no-occupancy order Wednesday for the former Fashion Bug building at 3441 E. Kolonels Way, east of Port Angeles. The order alleged violations of county zoning, plumbing and fire codes.
Clallam County Community Development Director Rob Robertsen said Thursday that since no county employees would be working on Sunday, no enforcement action was planned.
Weatherford had vowed Wednesday to hold regular Sunday worship services in the building anyway, saying the 400-member congregation has nowhere else to meet.
But Weatherford said Thursday he changed his mind after reading the paperwork for the no-occupancy order.
It stated that each person was subject to a fine — less if unaware of the order, he said.
“We were going to defy the no-occupancy order but if there’s a possibility of jeopardizing the congregation, then we’re going to have to find another place,” Weatherford said.
Wanted a week’s grace
He was hoping the county would give the church a week to find another meeting place and allow the congregation to meet this weekend, Weatherford said.
“That’s what I was hoping. It was kind of harsh to close us down during holidays.”
Robertsen said he will try negotiating with Weatherford about the condition of the church’s current meeting place in the former Kmart shopping center.
“Nobody is working on Sunday, so we are not going to do anything. But are going to try negotiating to get him out of there. We have to do that,” Robertsen said.
The county must have proof that the fabric covering the walls and plywood partitions are fire-retardant, and that the partitions are secured to meet earthquake codes, he said.
The former shopping center property is not zoned for a church, Robertsen said.
