AUGUSTA, Maine — Plans to build a church in Augusta are drawing opposition from some neighbors.
Leaders with the Augusta Spiritualist Church have struck a deal to buy a 1.3-acre parcel between Townsend Road and High Ridge Drive, between a residential area and a shopping plaza.
Jean Goding’s home overlooks the land. She fears increased traffic from the church will disrupt the peace of her neighborhood.
In a letter to the city, Goding said the church essentially would be in “the backyards of this quiet, dead-end, family oriented and predominantly older Catholic neighborhood.”
Goding told the Kennebec Journal her concerns have nothing to do with religion.
Church President Theresa Clifford says she understands neighborhood concerns, but her church is “low key,” with only about 35 members.
The planning board will take up the issue Tuesday.
Yeah…she said it all when she stated that this was a predominantly older CATHOLIC neighborhood. That’s all I need to know regarding the reason for her opposition to NON CATHOLIC church being built in the neighborhood.
She doesn’t even realize it…that’s the scary part…just like when she mentioned it being a dead-end street…much like the Catholic Church itself.
She said? You heard it? Did you see her letter she wrote to the planning board? No? Shocking. So what you’re telling me is you only read what the reporter wanted you to read? It is not opposition to a church being built. It IS opposite to a “church” (using term loosely) building a 3700 square foot structure with 36 parking spaces on 1.3 acres. If you have any concept of what 1.3 acres looks like, how well do you think this will all fit?
A church is an excellent transition between a residential neighborhood and a shopping plaza. Besides, churches are only busy like what a couple times a week. Gimme a break, NIMBYs!
Transition? Go to this web site and tell me if this “church” is like the one you attend. http://www.augustaspiritualistchurch.org/thursday.shtml
If Goding’s comments aren’t religiously related, then why even mention that the neighborhood was a Catholic one? What other possible explanation could you get from that?
Mmmmhmmmm. Liar.
Pat, she didn’t mention “Catholic”. The reporter put it in there to add a little controversy to the story.
Under the Federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Person Act of 2000, it really does not matter what the neighbors think. It was created to stop zoning harassment of unpopular religious groups by way of the zoning board. So far every case in court has gone the way of the religion.
Christopher, read the Act. It does not say a “church” (term loosely used for this group) can put themselves anywhere.
“In religious land use disputes, RLUIPA’s general rule is the most commonly cited and challenged section. It provides:
General rule. No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that imposes a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person, including a religious assembly or institution, unless the government can demonstrate that imposition of the burden on that person, assembly or institutionis in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; andis the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.Scope of Application. This subsection applies in any case in which–the substantial burden is imposed in a program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability; orthe substantial burden affects, or removal of that substantial burden would affect, commerce with foreign nations, among the several States, or with Indian tribes, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability; orthe substantial burden is imposed in the implementation of a land use regulation or system of land use regulations, under which a government makes, or has in place formal or informal procedures or practices that permit the government to make, individualized assessments of the proposed uses for the property involved.
42 U.S.C. § 2000cc-5(a).
During these disputes, the correct interpretation of the term “land use regulation” is almost always an issue. The statute defines “land use regulation” as “a zoning or landmarking law, or the application of such a law, that limits or restricts a claimant’s use or development of land (including a structure affixed to land), if the claimant has an ownership, leasehold, easement, servitude, or other property interest in the regulated land or a contract or option to acquire such an interest.” 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc-5(5).”
Pull up this article and tell me who the liar really is here. The “church” admits they have a membership of 100. They have parking for just 36. The posters in the KJ article are spot on. This “church” is downplaying the actual size of their membership and once they are in place, the truth will be revealed, yet then it will be too late. http://www.kjonline.com/news/augusta-church-plans-move_2012-02-11.html?searchterm=augusta+spiritualist)