Friday, May 2, 2003

Rezoning for Open Word Ministries approved

By ALISA KING
Special to The Citizen

Members of Open Word Christian Ministries showed up in large numbers at Fairburn's City Council meeting Monday night to support their proposed rezoning for Public Service (PS) District.

Open Word had applied for a rezoning of its property at the corner of Ga. Highway 92 and Dodson Road from R-1 Residential to Office and Institutional. Just recently, the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the proposed rezoning not be approved due to the church's future plans to have several outreach programs that could possibly result in improper encroachment for the surrounding residential area.

It was recommended for Open Word to rezone under the PS District. According to City Administrator Jim Williams, he thinks that the PS rezoning for the church would be the best thing for the church's future activities whether activities are social or indoor athletic.

City Councilmen took their time Monday night before approving the rezoning due to a few residential concerns about the proposal. Some residents were concerned about the church's free ability to turn their future office home into a gymnasium that could bring about a tremendous disturbance of noise, particularly from teenagers.

In addition, City Councilman Harvey Melear was a bit concerned for residential peace in the area. Under the PS District, he recommended that Open Word needed to agree to redo their driveway entrance to the home property so that it will not interfere with traffic on Hwy. 92. Melear also asked the ministry to agree for a buffer to go in between their property and the residential home next door to it.

According to Jim Williams, the PS rezoning ordinance already states that buffers must be provided to separate adjoining residential lots with a landscaped buffer of at least 25 feet wide that will provide for reasonable visual and functional separation.

The purpose of the Public Service District is to promote the development of public service facilities in areas where they will be accessible to the public but not improperly encroach into residential areas or unduly contribute to traffic congestion in surrounding neighborhoods. Examples of public service facilities are publicly owned buildings, facilities and lands; private non-profit buildings, facilities and lands; and churches and church complexes.

Gary K. Taylor, Pastor of Open Word Christian Ministries, says that he has no problem with the recommendations for a buffer and new driveway entrance for residential privacy. Pastor Taylor has no future intentions on turning his property into a gymnasium. He said that the home he purchased will be used for his office and for administrative meetings only, not for overnight stays or shelters.

"We are not in the neighborhood to cause any ruckus, we're here to be an asset to the community and not a liability," said Taylor.

Taylor said he prays that the community and he can work together.