Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 17, 1993 TAG: 9308170286
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Despite the favorable 5-2 vote Monday, congregation officials say they're keeping their options open this time, including a remote possibility that they might even sell the property to the Methodist church that has wanted it all along.
The commission last year recommended approval of a special-use permit for the same plan. However, a subsequent tie vote in City Council killed the proposal. The Jehovah's Witnesses later bought the property and reapplied for a special-use permit this spring.
"We're very happy," Ed Dixon, an elder and chairman of the congregation's building committee, said after the vote. "We intend to build there."
But Steve Waller, a Jehovah's Witnesses official, said Grove United Methodist still is interested in the property for its own expansion; and his congregation might agree to sell the property if a suitable, alternative site were to become available.
"We're not close-minded to doing that. If we are turned down, then that forces us to make that decision," Waller said.
"We're very pleased with the decision, but it gives us an option."
He said Grove United Methodist has "continued to make overtures" to negotiate a deal.
"I told them a miracle would have to happen," he said.
The Jehovah's Witnesses and the Methodists have been cooperating since May in trying to find an alternative site for the Kingdom Hall.
"We do not have a fight," said Grove United Methodist Church Pastor Clarence Dishman. He said his church has referred the Jehovah's Witnesses to nine different sites so far. However, he said they "made it quite clear that they would go through the whole [application] process" before considering other properties.
Three Grove United Church members who also sit on the Planning Commission split their votes at Monday's meeting. Board member Polly Corn dissented, while Frank Clark and Jim Graham went along with the majority. Chairman H.M. "Mac" Harvey cast the other "no" vote. Both Harvey and Corn cited concerns about traffic safety and about setting a bad development precedent in the so-called Route 177 Corridor.
Corn also sits on City Council with Bob Nicholson, another Grove church member. Nicholson's absence last year precipitated the tie vote that scuttled the proposal.
Dishman said he respects his parishioners' votes. "We have not tried to influence our people," he said.
The Jehovah's Witnesses' application must once again go before City Council for a public hearing and a vote.
Waller said if council approves the proposal this time, his congregation probably would not start construction on the Tyler Avenue tract until next year at the earliest.
"We're gonna build there if that's our only option," he said.
by CNB