A local church’s request to extend a public road through the Biglane Heights subdivision in south Magee has been denied.
As planned, a public hearing was held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m. Representatives from Bridgepoint Church in Magee spoke their piece about wanting to open a road through the subdivision to their planned new facility. Addressing the Magee Board of Aldermen on the church’s behalf were Pastor John Lockett and Administrative Pastor Terrence Norwood.
Norwood told the board that they should view the issue of extendng the road through four lenses. The first two were whether this issue is legal and whether it is ethical. Norwood stated his position that the request met the first two standards.
He then told them to question whether the request is moral and wise. He told the board his position on these issues, stating that the church would like the opportunity to be the good neighbor as they already are. Norwood told the board that if one reporter picked up on the fact that the city was denying the church access to their property, it would look bad for the city. He also stated that denying the access is denying the church access to the City of Magee.
John Lockett, senior pastor, told the board that the church owned the entire 20 acres adjacent to both McNair Springs Park and the subdivision and that no decisions had been made as to whether they would open the road to McNair Springs Road.
Speaking against opening the street were property owners Robert Lowe and Robert Pierce. The issue surfaced in early summer and continued throughout the summer.
Lowe said that his concern is for the children of the neighborhood. He said that it would encourage 18-wheeler traffic as well as motorcycle travel. He also mentioned that there is supposed drug trafficking on McNair Springs Road. He and Pierce are the property owners of the land in which a spur-like road is platted on city records.
According to Pierce, the subdivision contains 11 homes. Initial estimates from Pierce showed the church having as many as 700 members. Pierce stated that the community has no objections to the church, they just don’t want the traffic through the neighborhood.
Both sides were allowed to present their positions on the matter.
During the board meeting which followed the public hearing, a motion was made by Alderman Matthew Hickman to honor the request to close the road, and it was seconded by Alderwoman Whitney Baker. It came to a vote and passed with a four to one majority in favor of closing the road. Alderman Patrick Brown did not vote on the matter.
