Fairburn

is set to get its first mega-church.

Last week,

the Fairburn City Council approved the concept for St. John's AME Church,

near the town's historic downtown.

The church

features an 800-seat assembly hall and city planner Bill Johnson said

the project would enhance neighboring property values. He recommended

the city approve the structure, but add 20-foot planted buffers around

the perimeter and make sure that all site lighting is directed down,

so it won't interfere with any residents in adjoining neighborhoods.

Councilman

Gene Wiggins agreed with the concept of the church, but wondered if

any restrictions could be placed on the church to insure it serves only

as a place of worship.

"From

what I'm hearing, people don't want a Kreflo Dollar church here,"

he said.

Wiggins wanted

to make sure that various ministries don't start forming out from the

church and the site being crowded on a daily basis.

But both

Johnston and City Attorney Brad Sears said it would be very difficult

for the city to limit what type of ministries the church could do.

Wiggins said

it was just something he had on his mind and didn't want it interpreted

as he was against the church.

The measure

passed the City Council unanimously and now will return to the Planning

Commission when a site plan is completed.