A bill signed by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann makes it easier for churches and other groups that gather for meetings to lease space in light industrial neighborhoods.

Bill 09-61 lifts restrictions that say an industrial-zoned property can be leased as a meeting facility only if there isn't another meeting facility 1,000 feet or less away.

Hannemann's signing of the bill last week also does away with a requirement that a light industrial property can only be leased as a meeting facility if it has been actively marketed for sale or lease for industrial use at least three months in advance.

The bill does not affect areas zoned for intensive industrial use, which would continue to have the spacing restriction.

The five Oahu neighborhoods zoned for light industrial are in Pearl City, Waipahu, Royal Kunia, Haleiwa and Kahaluu. More intensive industrial districts include Campbell Industrial Park, and the old quarries in Waianae and on the Windward side.

The mayor said he does not believe the new law will make it more difficult for industrial businesses to find available space.

Hannemann was flanked by church leaders on Friday as he signed the bill during a ceremony at Honolulu Hale.

Ken Wong, an attorney for several of the groups, said the bill won't just help to bring more churches into industrial areas, but will aid other community organizations such as hula halau and martial-arts schools.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.