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Neighbors press Matthews commissioners over church expansion; hearing continued to March 9
Summary
Residents told the Matthews Board of Commissioners that a proposed expansion of Abundant Life Church would worsen flooding, remove mature trees and increase noise and light; church and staff described stormwater and buffering plans. The board continued the public hearing to March 9 to allow further neighbor meetings and follow-up on technical issues.
Pastor Brent Watts and the engineering team for Abundant Life Church asked the Matthews Board of Commissioners on Jan. 12 to approve a rezoning that would allow the church to increase seating above the town’s 400-person threshold and expand parking and building area at 3321 Matthews Mint Hill Road.
Neighbors and several commissioners, however, pressed for more concrete mitigation after an extended technical presentation on stormwater, parking and site design. The board voted 5–1 to continue the public hearing to March 9 to give the applicant and staff more time to work with nearby residents and provide additional details.
Why it matters: The application would change the site’s zoning to permit a larger congregation, add roughly 60 parking spaces above the UDO minimum and create more impervious surface on a property residents say already contributes to backyard flooding. Neighbors said the proposal would reduce mature tree cover, increase light and noise and strain local traffic on Highway 51.
What the applicant told the board: Pastor Brent Watts, who has led Abundant Life…
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