Pr. William Agrees to Sewer Line In Preserve

"I have sympathy for Fireside Church's desire to grow within our community," Pennefather said. "However, when it comes to land use, churches must be evaluated just like other structures, commercial or residential."

Supervisor W.S. Covington III (R-Brentsville), who backed the church's request, said it was intended to give Fireside a sewer connection but not set a larger precedent by amending the Comprehensive Plan, which would have applied broadly to development in the area.

"I have no hidden agenda. I've always said I support sewer in the rural area," said Covington, whose district includes the Rural Crescent. "I am saddened by the tone. I take offense to some of it."

The board supported the measure 5 to 3, with Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R-At Large), Supervisor Michael C. May (R-Occoquan) and Stirrup voting against it.

Fireside parishioners filled the board chambers, and members of its youth group wore T-shirts saying, "Ignite Your Passion for God!"

Pastor Allen Perdue said: "We come as a church family, because that's what we are. We are passionate about serving God. But this is not a vote for or against God. I come representing Jesus Christ. I'm not asking for special consideration."

Fireside holds services at four sites throughout the county. Now that the sewer hookup has been approved, Perdue hopes to have a sanctuary built in two years, he said.

"Everything hinged on this," Perdue said. "We needed to see what the will of the county was. We have not presumed that we had any more rights than anyone else."

Another church is scheduled to go before the board this spring with a similar request.

"I'm not looking to change the rural area and the density," Covington said. "I get their concern in reference to this opening things up, but I don't believe this will cause a ripple across the rural area. I've always thought there should be an open discussion."