Church outreach

Hiland Park Baptist Church asked, and it received: The Bay County Commission on Tuesday unanimously agreed to abandon two rights of way so the church can embark on a $7.9 million expansion project, despite objections from neighborhood residents.

From a general perspective, the Commission did the right thing. The church owns the land on either side of the alleys in question. It has complied with county regulations. It was not seeking a rezoning of the property.

Some residents who live near the church oppose the expansion, arguing that the increase in paved parking will create stormwater runoff problems. Others expressed concern about additional lighting, fewer trees and having to drive through a construction area and between stormwater ponds.

The church did make one concession Tuesday. It offered a permanent easement to the residents that runs through the parking lot, and commissioners required it as a condition of approving the abandonment.

The church played by the rules. As Commissioner Mike Thomas said, It appears to me the things they are obliged to do, theyve done.

Hiland Park Baptist followed the letter of the law. But it perhaps could have done more in the way of following unwritten protocols.

One common complaint residents lodged was that they were caught unaware of the churchs expansion plants and desired an opportunity to discuss it with Hiland Park Baptist officials before breaking ground. This seems to happen a lot projects proceed without reaching out to those who might be affected by them.

Those snubs can stiffen peoples opposition. They feel picked on, ignored, powerless. Sometimes you can modify plans to satisfy their concerns. Other times, just listening and explaining things to them cools things down, even if the project isnt changed. People at least feel like they were taken seriously. (Of course, theres always some who wont be satisfied unless they get their way, period). This is especially important when dealing with residential neighborhoods.

Its the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Although Hiland Park Baptist has been planning to expand for several years, residents say the latest project is different than initial plans that were discussed in 2007. And this time, they say they werent briefed by the church beforehand.

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Church outreach