By Karen Hall

Editor

A plan to build a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses next to the Amedysis dialysis center on North Ellington Parkway came under close scrutiny at a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Tuesday.

Jim Floyd, representing the church, was asked about the timeline for the project.

"As soon as we can, we're planning to build a place of worship," he said. "It will be about 3,500 square feet, set on approximately two acres, with a paved parking lot, and seating for about 150."

"We've had several revisions of this plan," said City Engineer Jim Patterson. "We got the latest one this afternoon, but these revisions have not addressed most of our comments."

Patterson said he was concerned with the slope of the parking lot. Currently it is at 10 percent, but it needs to be just a 2 percent slope to comply with handicap access rules. Also, Patterson said, the parking lot is sloped toward the building, potentially allowing water to damage the foundation.

A detention basin for stormwater is included in the plan, but Patterson said he needed to see the calculations to make sure the basin is adequate.

"We're not saying we can't get there, but we'e not there yet," said Patterson.

"You need somebody who can prepare a grading plan," said Chairman Jim Bingham.

"We're really trying to protect you," Patterson added. "If you construct it as planned right now, you would have issues with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)."

"I think we've chose the wrong gentleman to do the work," exclaimed Floyd.

The planning commission nevertheless approved the church's plan, "subject to the comments made," specified Bingham, adding that all site-plan review comments must be properly addressed.

"We wish you luck," Bingham said. "These gentlemen (Patterson and Buck Beard) are going to try to help you."

Earlier in the meeting Beard announced he and Patterson, and representatives of all utilities, were going to start meeting every Wednesday at 9 a.m for discussion with anyone who has a project, or is even considering a project. These meetings will be open to the public.

The goal, Patterson said, was to make sure every project had been checked by the utilities, so that "everyone who needs to see it has seen it, and all utilities have had their say, before we bring it to Planning and Zoning.

"It's definitely not our intent to complicate the process," Patterson continued.

"We'll still be user-friendly and be as helpful as we can," added Bingham. "We've had some unusual things come before us, but our focus is always on trying to help people. We don't treat people as the enemy."

Bingham stepped down as chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, but he will remain on it in his role as Lewisburg's mayor. He suggested Britt Wiles to take over as chairman, and commissioners unanimously approved this choice.

Outgoing Mayor Barbara Woods read a prepared statement praising the Planning and Zoning Commission.

"I appreciate all the boards, and this board in particular," Woods said.

Bingham recognized how the Planning and Zoning Commission plays an integral part in the growth of Lewisburg.

"Lewisburg is in a great location," Bingham said. "If we all stay together and stay focused we can do great things."