Woodridge Auditorium Expansion and Commons Addition
Making room for whatās next
Creating space for our Woodridge family to gather, connect, and grow.
Over the last several years, we have held and prayed through conversations about expanding our auditorium. These conversations began before Pastor Paulās transition and continued early in the leadership handoff between Pastor Paul and Pastor Zac.
Weāve seen continued, healthy growth in our Woodridge congregation. While that growth is one reason for expanding our auditorium, our desire runs deeper: we want spaces and environments where people can experience community. Rather than adding more services, we want to make room for our Woodridge family to gather and connect in community each week.
Our current plan is to expand the auditorium to seat up to 800 people, build new restrooms and common space, and expand our parking lot to 400 stalls. Our existing conditional use permit with the City of Medina allows us to build up to 85,000 square feet. Our current footprint is 43,225 square feet, and the new addition would bring us to 54,950 square feet.
We want to engage with our neighbors and the City of Medina in a way that is healthy and good for everyone involved.
Our current plan is to:
Work through the city planning process throughout Fall 2026,
If approved, begin fundraising in Winter 2027,
Start construction in Fall 2027.
What are we hoping to build?
800 Auditorium Seats
Expand the auditorium to seat up to 800 people.
A space to gather and connect
54,950 Total Square Feet
400 Parking Stalls
New Commons and Restrooms
Would you join us in
prayer?
That the planning Commission gives a favorable recommendation to the City Council.
That the City Council approves our zoning text amendment to the Rural Public/Semi-Public district, which would allow us to build an auditorium seating up to 800.
Moving forward ā
We meet with the Planning Commission. The planning commission will make a recommendation to the city council, either for or against the submission. Despite their recommendation, we will still appear before the city council.
Nov. 10th
We go before the City Council where we will need a 3-2 majority vote in favor of the zoning text amendment.
Dec. 1st
This Summer
Throughout the summer, Woodridge leadership, our architects, and our building contractors met to identify the best path forward. We initiated a wetland delineation study and a traffic study.
Fall 2025 ā Spring 2026
Under the direction of the city manager, we explored three possible pathways: a planned unit development (PUD), a zoning amendment, or an amendment to our conditional use permit. We submitted paperwork to the city in February leaning towards a PUD, went before the Planning Commission in March, and appeared before the City Council in April.
Given our history with the city and our existing permit to build up to 85,000 square feet, we wanted to work in close collaboration with the city. However, we encountered some hesitancy from the city council during this process. A video recording of the city council meeting and news summary can be found below.
Context
In 2009, Woodridge submitted plans to the city to add to the building. The city responded with a moratorium and placed new zoning restrictions on Woodridge and other churches. While this was an obstacle, under Pastor Paul Johnsonās visionary leadership it became the birth of the Aspen Grove Network and led to more church planting.
In 2013, Woodridge, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, filed suit against the City of Medina. The resolution granted Woodridge the ability to build up to 85,000 square feet with up to 400 parking stalls under a conditional use permit agreement with the city.
We donāt want to dwell on the past, but we recognize that our shared history with the City of Medina continues to shape the conversation today.