Residential rub

[Key Guy]

From WPEC-TV Online, West palm beach, Florida (USA)

http://www.cbs12.com/news/church-4719592-growing-big.html

Quote:

A local church congregation growing so big, they needed extra space. The problem is they want to build right in the middle of a rural neighborhood. Neighbors started fighting this as soon as they found out, but their efforts may be in vain. Now these neighbors will be making a last ditch effort to appeal to the county to stop it.

Mary O'Rourke said, "This is smack dab in the middle of a residential area."

No welcoming party for this proposed Jupiter Farms church.

"This was not what we bargained for," said another neighbor.

These neighbors, weeks away from a showdown with members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Jupiter. They've been told they'll get 3 minutes to make a case.

"If they are allowed to come down a private street and put up a church right next to homes it can happen anywhere," said O'Rourke.

These yellow notices, a sign that big changes could be coming to this quiet Jupiter Farms street. Neighbors say that although things are getting heated, they want to make it clear their issue is with the building not the people.

"We're not against your church, we're against where you're putting your church," said O'Rourke.

"It's a building, it's the size of a building, and it's what that building brings," said another neighbor.

But the church group bought the land and has already moved out of their old home off Indiantown Road. For now they're worshipping at Jupiter High School. On their website, the next move is clear. Pending approval, construction will begin soon and they hope to be in the new facility by Fall 2010. So can steeples go up next to stables? A decision from the county is expected on July 23rd. The congregation never returned calls made today by CBS 12. Their website proudly says their new building in Jupiter Farms calls for ample seating, parking, and classroom space.

[Outta Here]

To be honest, I wouldn't want a church in the middle of my neighborhood either. Suburban neighborhoods are areas where people don't want a lot of traffic. Lots of children around, playing in their yards, near the streets, etc. Too much danger if non-residents are not looking out for the children.

We have a children's day care facility at the end of our street that has caused nothing but trouble in the past. People don't obey speed limits, they don't look for the stray cat or dog running in the street, or the ball that might bounce by accident into the road, or the kid whose bike has gone out of control.

And SDAs would be driving up and down these streets on a Saturday--likely to be the busiest time for families to be home working and playing in their yards.

I wouldn't want it in my neighborhood.

[phkrause]

You make a good point dgrimm.

pk