Granite Falls, Minn., OKs permit to allow property to be converted into church

GRANITE FALLS -- City Council members in Granite Falls have approved a special use permit to allow a vacant commercial property along U.S. Highway 212 to be converted for use as a church.

The council action on Monday allows the Rock Haven Church to convert the former Rittmiller Motors property on the west side of the city for use as a church. The congregation is negotiating for the purchase of the property from the Citizens Alliance Bank. The church currently conducts Sunday worship services in the auditorium of the Yellow Medicine East High School in Granite Falls.

The auto dealership has not operated at the location for about four years.

As a commercial property, it currently pays $13,030 a year in taxes. It would not be taxed as a place of worship.

Council members previously approved a required zoning change, despite some concerns about the loss of commercial property with highway frontage.