The consent application was heard by independent commissioners last month and a decision containing a number of conditions, and signed by commissioner Andrew Henderson, was released this week.
While delighted at a "very even-handed'' decision, trust chairwoman Dame Sukhi Turner told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the trust was not celebrating yet.
Those who submitted on the trust's application for consent have 15 working days to lodge an appeal with the Environment Court.
Forty-two submitters, including neighbours, opposed the community house development - several concerned at its effect on the availability of on-street parking.
The commissioners said in their decision they accepted the trust's expert evidence that there was "sufficient capacity within the surrounding roading network'' to provide for demand from the entire site, including both the community house and the church.
"We have concluded that the effects arising from parking, traffic congestion and the safety of the road network associated with the community house are no more than minor.''
However, the commissioners set a condition that before opening the community house, the trust must prepare a comprehensive plan to manage on-street parking issues.
The proposed development includes offices, meeting rooms and a 140-seat hall.
The commissioners have set the hours of operation from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week, with use of the outdoor courtyard restricted to between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
They also set noise level limits, and an acoustic fence must be built next to one neighbouring property.
Dame Sukhi said 28 organisations had firm intentions to lease space within the building.
They included the Upper Clutha's biggest social services provider, the Alpine Community Development Trust, which operates Community Networks.
It submitted against the community house, considering it was too far from the centre of town.
Dame Sukhi said discussions with the trust indicated it would lease space but did not wish to become the "anchor tenant''.
The community house proposal has been talked about for at least 12 years and is expected to cost more than $3million.
