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By Tony Sapochett tsapochetti@pantagraph.com | Posted: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 12:00 am


PONTIAC A new religiousbased business and outreach center promoting Messianic Judaism is expected to open in the downtown area.

The Pontiac City Council voted Monday to approve a specialuse permit for Gates of Eden to operate at 103 W. Madison St., provided it operates primarily as a retail business.

Gates of Eden started with a bimonthly newsletter and a weekly meeting in May 1995, said the Rev. Daniel Botkin, the group’s founder and pastor. It later became a notforprofit religious corporation and continues to have weekly meetings in East Peoria.

The newsletter turned into a magazine, and a facility was opened in East Peoria in January 2004.

The group will sell religious items and artwork, provide Bible studies, and help direct individuals to counseling and drug treatment centers.

Botkin described Messianic Judaism as a combination of both Christianity and Judaism with a belief in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

"It’s a belief in Jesus of the New Testament but without neglecting the Jewish roots," Botkin said.

At Monday’s meeting, the council and Botkin discussed whether a specialuse permit, which is required under the city’s zoning ordinance for indoor civic, cultural, religious and institutional uses, should be used in this case.

The permit contains specific rules on how many people can assemble inside a facility and how many bathrooms are needed. Plumbing inspector Bruce Koerner said building, which has one bathroom, would not meet requirements for an assembly of more than 10 because it would need two bathrooms.

Ward 5 Alderman Jerry Mabrey said he went to the East Peoria location and saw that it was more of a retail establishment.

The council then amended the specialuse permit to reflect a retail store emphasis. Under the amended permit, fewer than 30 people, including employees, would be allowed for meetings, and the facility would be open no more than 30 hours a week instead of 50.

"There were some concerns and it is a bit unusual (for a religious and retail center), but we feel that we are not going to deny a retail store," Mayor Bob Russell said. "If it turns out to be something other than a retail store then we can cancel the permit at any time."

Botkin said the group still plans to install two bathrooms at the location. He expects to open once that renovation is complete.

The city may revisit the specialuse permit after the second bathroom is installed.