Some Grovetown neighbors against proposed rezoning for church, campsite

GROVETOWN, Ga. (WJBF) – A proposed rezoning for a church and a campsite in a residential area in Grovetown has some neighbors fighting back.

143 Ministries, which has multiple locations in the area geared toward helping those with substance abuse issues, wants to rezone the 20-acre property at 5821 Rockford Dr. from R-A to S-1.

“They have patients that are trying to get their life together and all which is fantastic, but I don’t know how their screening goes and what not and we have kids that live around here,” said Mark Hullum. “We moved in here thinking that we wouldn’t have that issue and they’re trying to rezone. It’s like an intrusion into our property.”

In addition to the church, the ministry wants to build six to 18 cabins that could fit about six people who are recovering from substance abuse, which is not mentioned in the zoning application.

The planning commission is recommending approval with the conditions of the parking lot being paved and applicants providing a traffic report.

Neighbors said while they support the mission of the organization, they are not pleased with what they say is a lack of transparency, potential traffic increases and concerns about safety.

“They just cut the grass so you can actually see the sign now. But, they tucked the sign in the ditch, saying it’s going to be a place of worship. They submitted an application and everything on the application is ambiguous,” said Rodney Byrd.

“There’s so many better places. As far as whether it’s commercial, medical setting, or very rural. But in a neighborhood like this?” said Chris Stevens.

A 143 board member said they were as transparent as they could be, and the tenants in the recovery program have to follow strict rules while temporarily staying in the cabins. There would also be staff members on site 24/7.

“People think this is going to attract a crime element or unsavory people, I mean that has not been the experience. We experienced a very similar situation in another county and I think after the initial shock wore off those those neighbors found us to be very good stewards,” said Natalie Paine, the Treasurer for 143 Ministries. “This is something that we’ve been dealing with for years, there’s a stigma associated with it, but I also know the level of accountability.”

Paine understands concerns, but said they vet people in the recovery program and the property fits the bill.

“The property kind of fit all of our needs that we were looking for,” she said. “And Columbia County had more of that rural environment or availability that we were interested in, and so that’s essentially why we landed out there.”

The proposal will go to the board of commissioners on August 20th. To view the zoning application and planning commission report, click here and here. To learn more about 143 Ministries, click here.

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