Gateway Church awarded 5-year mass gathering permit

While perpetuity is granted in rare cases – mostly for city-hosted events – a lot of problems would be avoided by not doing so in this case, said Mayor John Terrell.

"It sets a precedent to have everyone ask," he said.

Council members were concerned too much could change in Southlake over even five years, so language was added that could require the church to come before the council to get the permit altered.

"We need to build in a mechanism that if we get a complaint we can say, 'You have to come back in.,'" said councilman Martin Schelling.

The council unanimously voted yes to award the permit to the church for five years as amended.