Neighbors raise privacy, safety and drainage concerns over church school expansion and possible sports complex

Several residents told the Natchitoches Planning & Zoning Commission they are worried about new construction by Freedom Life Church that they believe includes additional school buildings and a possible sports complex behind the church next to Chinquapin Subdivision.

Christine Carpenter, who identified her address as 113 Chinquapin Place, said her yard has direct, open access to the church property and that the absence of a fence or barrier increases her concerns about privacy and security. Carpenter said a drainage ditch or culvert runs across her property, which she and her husband maintain, and that the church has accessed her property during recent construction activity.

Another resident, Danielle Cobb of 115 Shego Penn Place, echoed Carpenter’s concerns and said portable buildings have appeared in neighbors’ backyards. Cobb said safety for her two young children is her primary concern and that news of a potential sports complex had ‘‘thrown a red flag’’ for her. Cobb also said she was reassured to hear staff member Sean Traum mention that a drainage plan had been approved, because low areas in backyards have required previous owners to install drainage ditches.

A planning staff member told the commission the city would review past minutes and the prior approval record to determine what conditions, if any, had been imposed when the development was approved. The staff member characterized the present dispute as one between the school/church and the residents and said staff would look back at the 2023 approval minutes cited by residents to clarify any conditions.

No enforcement action or new approvals were recorded in the transcript; residents were told staff would review the prior approvals and report back. The commission did not render a new decision at the meeting.