There will be a public hearing Thursday on an application for a conditional use permit that would allow construction of a 6,000-square-foot structure called the Eden Faith Center in a residential area on S. Razor Clam Drive in Ocean Shores.

The hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ocean Shores Lions Club, 832 Ocean Shore Blvd. NW. A Kirkland non-profit, Father & Sons Ministries, submitted the application in June that seeks approval to build a “church in residential zone,” on two adjacent lots at 250 S. Razor Clam Drive. The area is zoned R-1, Single Family Residence.

In published legal notices, the city’s planning department noted that “Ocean Shores Municipal Code 17.16.030 requires this proposal to go through the Conditional Use Permit process. Property owners within at least 300 feet of the proposed construction site were notified by mail.” About 60 were sent notices dated July 25.

Father and Sons Ministries submitted an eight-page set of architect’s plans that depict a two-story, 22-room structure with a footprint of 3,135 square feet. The design shows approximately 5,000 square feet of living space including four “meditation rooms,” a 500-square-foot living room/enclosed patio, a large kitchen, a master suite, six bathrooms and an elevator, plus an 800-square-foot garage with a small theater above.

A staff report, issued July 29 by the city’s planning department, concludes, “Staff recommends the conditional use permit not be approved based on comments received from the public and the City’s concerns that it does meet our criteria for a church. The applicant is free to argue to the hearing examiner regarding the application.”

The staff report also indicated that, should the conditional use permit be approved by the independent hearing examiner and the structure be built, “There shall be no overnight retreats within the church. Those attending retreats will be required to obtain lodging in approved lodging facilities.”