~ Question zoning, quality of life ~
BELVEDERE--Some residents of Belvedere have been asking why they were not consulted or considered before the construction of a Methodist church in their district was approved for construction by the Island Government.
While others declined to go on record, but did express concerns about noise pollution and traffic, prominent resident Benjamin Kelly said the issue was not about being critical of any denomination or government, but was rather about the quality of life in Belvedere.
"On weekends, in particular, many parents take their children outside to ride bikes, for example. Residents usually like their quiet space as well. With an influx of traffic that a church will no doubt bring, that could affect the quality of life. Especially with a large church (Seventh Day Adventist) already situated in the district," he said.
Moreover, in consultation that should have taken place with residents, Kelly queried if any consideration had been given to how the infrastructure in the area would be affected. He questioned whether parking spaces had been considered when the land was identified for the church. He pointed out that the church would be located on a curb, and space in this area was extremely limited, he added.
"If parking wasn't considered, this means church-goers will end up parking on the road side and in front of the homes of residents. Imagine if the church we already have, the sports parks, the community centre, the border point and this new church all have events. The traffic will be heavy, and the area changed immediately," he said.
He also questioned if a survey had been done within Belvedere to deduce if the residents wanted specifically a church of Methodist denomination or any church in particular. He said as Government was constructing the church, maybe the residents would have preferred something else constructed there.
"Like a clinic or an all-inclusive small commercial complex. I'm not criticising any denomination or government. I'm just pointing out that perhaps this is not what the people of Belvedere wanted, and as such, we should have been considered," he said.
Kelly also asked if the building permit for the construction of another church in the district fit within the development of Belvedere in the upcoming zoning plan.
Also, in the construction of Belvedere, the area from the TelEm sub-station to the Belvedere roundabout was designated a "green area." Therefore construction on the site where the church is to be built reportedly requires a change in land distinction. Kelly questioned whether this had occurred. The Daily Herald attempted to get clarity on this specific point, to no avail, Monday.
In addition to the "green area" already being in place, the Island Government had announced that any building permit request submitted before the Executive Council adopted the preparatory resolution green-lighting the zoning plan would not be affected. The resolution was adopted in October 2009.
If the building permit request and attached plans fit within those plans, the building permit would be granted. If not, the permit request would either be denied or put on hold, if the development direction for that specific area had not yet been clarified by the zoning plan. The request would be put on hold until the zoning plan was completed.
The government's construction of a Methodist church in Belvedere costing approximately NAf. 500,000 has raised questions in the community about the precedent Government would be setting, especially considering the fact that the group never secured a permit to construct a church in the district in the first place, when it attempted to renovate a domed structure in Belvedere to use as a church.
That renovation cost was reportedly booked at approximately US $50,000, raising calls from the public for justification from Government for NAf. half a million as compensation to the church. "Especially when Government didn't make a mistake – they built illegally. Government is compensating with taxpayers' money," one resident said.
