The Alpharetta City Council has agreed to waive $16,241 in impact fees for a church that is building a 40,000-square-foot addition.

Alpharetta First United Methodist Church requested the waiver as it is improving existing classrooms and adding teen/media room spaces, and not expanding its sanctuary, according to a staff memo to the council.

The project will not impact city services, the church told the city. It will not increase vehicular trips, and it creates more green space, with outdoor seating; and the church already has buildings on site that are served by the Public Safety Department.

Staff noted that in 2009, the city waived $23,360 in impact fees for Lionheart School.