The city of Bryan, Ohio, charged Pastor Chris Avell with multiple zoning code violations Dec. 8.
According to the city’s complaint, Avell allowed people to reside at his church in Bryan, called Dad’s Place, for extended periods of time, defying the city’s zoning rules. Dad’s Place is zoned within the city’s central business district, so people cannot eat, wash clothes or sleep at the property, the complaint reads. The church is located near several service agencies, a homeless shelter, comic book store and Mexican restaurant.
Dad’s Place opened its doors as a 24-hour warming shelter last March. The church often takes in people the neighboring homeless shelter cannot help.
Bryan police chief Gregory Ruskey said in a statement, “A reasonable amount of time was given for both the tenant and property owner to fix the issues. Due to the safety of all involved, the city moved forward with filing charges.”
Jeremy Dys, one of Avell’s attorneys and senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, said he believes the pastor wasn’t given enough time to complete the fixes.
Avell pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges Jan. 11. He is due back in Bryan Municipal Court for a pre-trial hearing Jan. 30.
The pastor previously told 13 Action News the church will remain open for those who need it throughout the winter.