Owner of a local church is charged with several counts of zoning violations.

The owner of a local church is charged in Bryan Municipal Court on several counts of zoning violation involving activities there. Christopher B. Avell, who runs Dad’s Place on S. Main St, Bryan, faces 18 charges of zoning violation, related to allowing people to stay at the location when it is not permitted to do so. An arraignment hearing has been set for Jan. 4. The specific charge states Avell allowed transients to reside within the building for an extended amount of time. The charge states Dad’s Place is in a C-3 zone, usually used for central business and residential use is not permitted. The charge also states that Dad’s Place has allowed people to eat, wash clothes and sleep on the property. The multiple counts are due to the same conditions being in place during visits from zoning inspectors.