Attorneys for Bryan pastor charged with multiple zoning code violations seek temporary restraining order against the city.

The attorneys for a Bryan pastor charged with multiple zoning code violations files suit in federal court, seeking a temporary restraining order against the city. Pastor Chris Avell of Dad’s Place, is charged with 18 counts of misdemeanor zoning violations related to allowing people, mostly transients or homeless, to reside on the property, violating the city’s zoning code. He recently pled not guilty at an arraignment hearing. On Monday, First Liberty Institute and others filed the order in the United States District Court Northern District of Ohio Western Division. It claims the city is attempting to drive religious institutions from its central business zoning district. It states the church had been operating since 2018, but in 2020 the city contacted Dad’s Place and another church, the Revival Hub Church on W. High St., and informed them they were in violation of zoning ordinances and needed to obtain conditional use permits. Avell admits in the court documents the site allows anyone wishing to stay overnight at the property to do so. It states two volunteers from the church stay at the property overnight to ensure the safety of everyone there and to provide assistance if needed.