Group protests church rezoning

Cottonwood West community members gathered at Monday's city commission meeting as they protested the potential rezoning of a parcel of land next to their living spaces.

[Leprachan]

Why all the up roar now? 21 Years later. If the church wanted to build something there it should have already been done or start something on the land.

[guest]

It is pretty trashy around there anyway. The area looks like a dumping ground and the truck stop brings in trashy people and fumes from the trucks running. When they start selling beer at the truck stop it will get worse. They already have a Lowes in the backyard.

[Ron Jeske]

A new church on that location seems a bit out of character for the surroundings of a truck stop, building supply centers, etc.. There was a church for sale, was there not, on Scenic Drive, as the result of a new sanctuary being built elsewhere and the original facility being made redundant to the needs of the congregation? Why not buy that for a new sanctuary for this church and get out of the fray over commercial vs residential on half of a property?

[wonderer]

Ron Jeske wrote:

A new church on that location seems a bit out of character for the surroundings of a truck stop, building supply centers, etc.. There was a church for sale, was there not, on Scenic Drive, as the result of a new sanctuary being built elsewhere and the original facility being made redundant to the needs of the congregation? Why not buy that for a new sanctuary for this church and get out of the fray over commercial vs residential on half of a property?

The land for sale on Scenic used to be Community Christian School. The land is owned by Christ Community Church. The buildings are in such awful condition it would have cost too much to repair them. But that land is not zoned commercial which is why the church is having so much trouble selling it.

On the other hand, with a truck stop only yards away, how can the residents be so upset about a church? Seems like it might provide a nice barrier between them and the truck stop. Who is going to want a house built there?

[Leprachan]

Ron Jeske wrote:

A new church on that location seems a bit out of character for the surroundings of a truck stop, building supply centers, etc.. There was a church for sale, was there not, on Scenic Drive, as the result of a new sanctuary being built elsewhere and the original facility being made redundant to the needs of the congregation? Why not buy that for a new sanctuary for this church and get out of the fray over commercial vs residential on half of a property?

Great idea. What better use for this building than to place this other church there. Wonderful idea. It would work, there is enough space in this buildingon Scenic for anything that you need in or for a growing church.

[Scout Mom]

I don't think they are upset about a church being built there. What I got from the story is they are afraid that the church may not be built, for whatever reason, and the property sold and a store be put in there. That could happen if the land were rezoned commercial. But my question is, if it is owned by a church couldn't all that land be zoned residential? It shouldn't matter that it's on White Sands, if the church truly plans to build there.

As nice as a park sounds, the resident who objected has an excellent point. A park next to a truck stop is asking for a lot of trouble.

[New Kid in Town]

The problem with the church is this:

If the church gets the zoning changed, they can used a small portion of the land and sell the rest to any commercial developer. They will make enough money to pay for their church and the land, but at what cost to the neighborhood.

If they could guarantee us that the land would only be used for the church we would have no problem with it...but since we know that it won't happen we need to stand against it.

I read where someone was talking about how bad the truck stop is - imagine what is gonna happen if we get businesses in there that attract more problems.

I would love to have a church and a neighborhood playground or something like that - but as much as I want new businesses in Alamogordo, I am not willing to sacrifice my neighborhood.

[J O H N - Q]

Agreed, The park doesn’t need to have playground equipment. Perhaps it could be a serene park since that is the location where Officer Mirabal died. For instance, something similar to the park on 10th street next to Pizza Mill. I don’t remember the name. The one with the rose bushes.

Lowes have been good neighbors. There is a huge buffer zone between the back of the store and the homes there. We have friends who live on Basswood and they were upset at first but now they love it.

[New Mexican]

A residential neighborhood, a mega church, a park and a truck stop all in close proximity seems odd. But the church can build there anyway, just watch. Churches always get their way.

[PinkFloyd]

Diesel fumes and engines running are sure what I want to experience at a serene park.
Oh, brother.

[James]

Okay, so let me get this straight...the commissioners who bow to the mighty contractors are accusing someone else of taking sides with the developers? Anyone else see the irony here?

If First Baptist doesn't build their church and park here, what do the neighbors think will happen to the property? Part is already zoned for commercial, First Baptist could sell it to who knows what kind of business.

Sure, some day they could decide they don't want their church there any more and sell it to someone else - but who is going to buy a church building besides another church? And with the amount of money they are talking about sinking into a big new building, wouldn't that tell you they are planning to be there for a long time?

[James]

New Kid in Town wrote:

The problem with the church is this:
If the church gets the zoning changed, they can used a small portion of the land and sell the rest to any commercial developer. They will make enough money to pay for their church and the land, but at what cost to the neighborhood.
.

Part of it is already zoned commercial. If that was their plan (building on part and selling the rest), they could have done so alrady.

[Curious about This One]

PinkFloyd wrote:

Diesel fumes and engines running are sure what I want to experience at a serene park.
Oh, brother.

Just think of how the Church Services are going to sound and smell like!

[PinkFloyd]

guest wrote:

It is pretty trashy around there anyway. The area looks like a dumping ground and the truck stop brings in trashy people and fumes from the trucks running. When they start selling beer at the truck stop it will get worse. They already have a Lowes in the backyard.

They use to sell beer and alcohol there. Don't they still do?

[wrong]

New Mexican wrote:

A residential neighborhood, a mega church, a park and a truck stop all in close proximity seems odd. But the church can build there anyway, just watch. Churches always get their way.

Christ Community Didn't

[JessikaC]

PinkFloyd wrote:

<quoted text>
They use to sell beer and alcohol there. Don't they still do?

When did they sell alcohol there?

Was it before David went to prison?

I know there were no alcohol sales when Charlie had the place and obviously none when David took it back. Now that it's sold to Kent Oil, we still don't sell but plan to in the future.

[JessikaC]

New Kid in Town wrote:

I read where someone was talking about how bad the truck stop is - imagine what is gonna happen if we get businesses in there that attract more problems.

It's really not bad. There's very little drama, we rarely have anything happen that requires police to get involved.

Also, a small PSA, the truck stop is no longer locally/privately owned. It was purchased by Kent Oil Companies out of Midland, TX, back in November. There's a few things I don't like about the change(cigarette prices went sky high), but the place has gotten better and it's old ways(the drugs and girls) are long gone. A lot of the employees take pride in working there now and Kent Co has done what they can(so far) to keep the trash out and fix the place up. They're actually in the middle of remodeling the place right now.

[New Kid in Town]

Jess,

I live in that area as well although I am still new here and don't remember drugs and girls. I am quite happy that there is not a lot of drama there (I have only seen 3-4 people in cuffs). I am still concerned that if the church gets this re-zoning and then sell the land to buy a small lot somewhere else, we could be in for trouble.

I would absolutely love having a church and park near our development because it will help our home values - but what happens if we get a "Happy Booker"? I am not sure that I would have bought in Cottonwood Heights if there was an adult bookstore at the corner.

[PinkFloyd]

JessikaC wrote:

<quoted text>
When did they sell alcohol there?
Was it before David went to prison?
I know there were no alcohol sales when Charlie had the place and obviously none when David took it back. Now that it's sold to Kent Oil, we still don't sell but plan to in the future.

Hell, they did package sells when they opened and it was Time Out Travel.

[JessikaC]

New Kid in Town wrote:

Jess,
I live in that area as well although I am still new here and don't remember drugs and girls. I am quite happy that there is not a lot of drama there (I have only seen 3-4 people in cuffs). I am still concerned that if the church gets this re-zoning and then sell the land to buy a small lot somewhere else, we could be in for trouble.
I would absolutely love having a church and park near our development because it will help our home values - but what happens if we get a "Happy Booker"? I am not sure that I would have bought in Cottonwood Heights if there was an adult bookstore at the corner.

Yeah the truck stop used to have a very bad rep. I've lived here on and off for 22 years and I've spent my last 2 years at the truck stop. The new company that owns it has a no tolerance type attitude for drama.

I can see the difficulty in a church and the truck stop being there, since we do have a liquor license now. But I'd have to look into it more to see how much of a problem that is.

I have to agree with someone in the article though, a park next to a truck stop is not a great idea.