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Neighbors press town over trees, stormwater as Abundant Life Church seeks zoning change
Summary
The Matthews Board of Commissioners heard hours of testimony March 9 on Abundant Life Church’s request to rezone from R‑20 to conditional RICD to expand seating from 399 to 530. Neighbors raised stormwater, tree loss, lighting and traffic concerns; the board closed the hearing and referred the application to the planning board.
The Matthews Board of Commissioners on March 9 closed a contentious public hearing and voted to send Abundant Life Church’s rezoning request to the planning board after residents raised concerns about flooding, tree removal and neighborhood impacts.
The church asked to change the site from R‑20 to a conditional RICD so it may site a sanctuary larger than 399 seats — up to 530, the applicant said. Staff told the board the conditional plan includes a 50‑year stormwater pond (rather than the 25‑year minimum), architectural controls, and a buffer commitment; the applicant and neighbors disagreed about whether the changes adequately protect nearby yards.
“The current entrance allows drivers to use the dedicated right turn lane while slowing down to enter the property,” the applicant’s representative said in defense of keeping the driveway where it is, arguing the DOT‑shown relocation could create unsafe merge points near the roundabout.
Neighbors said the project could worsen chronic standing water and remove mature trees that provide screening. Annie Hathcock, whose home backs the church, showed a video of water pooling inside her laundry room and said, “I have a bad water problem from all this water even in my laundry room and rec room.” Jenny Lawson, who lives on Hardist Lane, said the church’s own attendance numbers do not support a 530‑seat building and asked for a 60‑foot tree buffer, shielded lighting and motion sensors.
Board members pressed the applicant on several points: Commissioner Hecker asked about outreach and the HVAC equipment’s distance from the nearest house; an engineer said the closest house is about 202 feet from the back of the building and mechanical equipment sits roughly 20 feet behind that (about 180 feet from the house). Commissioner Lamson highlighted a roughly 58‑inch “legacy” oak she urged the town to protect.
Some residents acknowledged trade‑offs: an audience member with stormwater experience said the conditional plan’s 50‑year mitigation could improve drainage compared with a by‑right buildout. Still, repeated public comments emphasized the perceived scale of the new building — “22,585 square feet with 191 parking spaces,” one neighbor noted — and its potential to change the residential character of nearby streets.
After public testimony, Commissioner Urban moved, and Commissioner Hecker seconded, to close the hearing and forward the application to the planning board for review; the motion passed unanimously. The planning board will review the conditional rezoning and the town’s Unified Development Ordinance requirements as the next formal step.
