A church’s request to expand a septic system was tentatively granted Wednesday by the Douglas County Commission.

Blessed Hope Baptist Church made the request for property it is purchasing at 1115 N. 1700 Road outside the northwest edge of Lawrence. The property is along the south side of Peterson Road just east of Folks Road. A house currently is on the property, and it has an old septic system.

Commissioners Bob Johnson and Jere McElhaney said they would grant the church a variance under the county subdivision regulations, which would allow the septic system as long as certain conditions were met. Commissioner Charles Jones was absent because of illness.

Those conditions include that the septic system be viable, that there won’t be a sewage lagoon and that an expansion or new church building be capped to a size that fits the capacity of the septic system.

Commissioners also want the church to promise not to oppose future annexation by the city of Lawrence and that it be willing to connect to a city wastewater system when it is extended to that area.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Everett Ledbetter, said the church is OK with the requirements. Final approval will come during Monday’s commission meeting when the conditions and requirements are in the form of a motion to be voted on.

Commissioners went along with the church despite being presented with a petition signed by 15 neighbors opposed to the septic request. The county’s own planning staff also opposed granting the variance.

The neighbors said the 5-acre lot is not suitable for increased septic use. They also had concerns that future church expansion will require a sewage lagoon and about downhill drainage from storm water and excess sewage.