For over a year, a pastor in Bryan, Ohio, has been in a legal battle with the city over his church, Dad's Place, which has been providing shelter to homeless individuals around the clock. Pastor Chris Avell was found guilty by a city judge of violating zoning and fire codes in a criminal case on Tuesday. Despite this conviction, Avell's attorneys have vowed to appeal the decision, as they had previously filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city of harassment and discrimination against the church and its members.
The city's main concern, according to Bryan Fire Chief Douglas Pool, is that Dad's Place lacks the necessary permits for people to sleep inside the building. While some code violations have been addressed, the church still does not have a permit allowing overnight stays, which would require costly improvements like fire sprinklers. Pool emphasized the city's obligation to enforce codes to prevent potential disasters.
