A public hearing is set Monday, Aug. 22 concerning the demolition of the former Kitchens residence at 303 N. Johnson St. in Mineola.

The First Baptist Church of Mineola, which has owned the home since 2008, has requested a Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition of Property in the Historic Overlay District.

The request was approved by the Mineola Landmark Commission in July.

Such requests must come before the commission when they involve changes to structures within the historic district, which extends just north of the property.

The property is across Blair Street from a church parking lot and just northwest of the main church campus at 204 N. Johnson.

The church also owns a vacant lot west of the property and plans to use it for additional parking, according to Doris Newman, the city’s historic preservation officer.

She said while commission members approved the request with regret, it did meet the criteria, as the church property committee demonstrated saving the home would not be cost effective.

The church attempted to sell the home to be moved but received no valid offers.

Three of the commission members abstained from voting.

She said it had been used for a time as a residence for the church music minister but had not been occupied for some time.

David Kitchens, who operated the Mineola landmark Kitchens Hardware, passed away in 2007.

The home was listed as of medium historical value in the latest historical survey commissioned by the landmark commission two years ago. It was thought to be built in the 1930s.

The hearing will be held during the regular city council meeting at Mineola City Hall.