Friday's Internet Edition, July 30, 2010.
approves
River Oaks
expansion
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| Clemmons resident Marcie Woolard preferred building the Baptist Hospital’s satellite in Davie County. |
The Clemmons Courier
- Over neighbors’ objections, the Clemmons village board Monday approved a zoning change that will allow River Oaks Community Church to expand its parking lot.
Neighbors complained that West Forsyth High students walk through their lawns and leave trash behind.
“It’s just a mess constantly,” said Ed Hughes of Forest Oak Drive. “I know you wouldn’t want a parking lot behind you.”
River Oaks allows West students to use its parking lot since the school doesn’t have enough parking spaces. Students park at the church and walk to school.
Gordon Miller, representing the church, said River Oaks needs more parking for the church’s own use, but the church also wants to help the school. “We built this church to be part of the community.”
He said those students walking through the neighbors’ yards are more than likely neighborhood children walking to school from their homes, not those parking at the church. “We can’t control the kids in the neighborhood,” he said.
The board held a rare judicial hearing on the zoning request. Speakers had to be sworn in.
Miller said the church plans to leave trees in the 20-foot buffer between the church and the neighboring houses. He said low-wattage lights will be installed that will limit the nighttime impact on the neighbors. It plans to add 150 parking spaces.