Resident raises safety, parking and lighting concerns about proposed rezoning of former church property

Michelle Anga, a resident of 206 South Williams, told the Stockbridge Planning Commission she is concerned that rezoning the former church property at Williams and Elizabeth for multifamily use would revive historical traffic and parking overflow problems that she said occurred during the site’s prior church use. Anga said the intersection near the site drew heavy activity in past seasons—she estimated “150–200+ interactions per season” observed on site cameras—and warned that converting the site to roughly four multifamily units could bring an estimated eight additional cars, worsening driveway access and pedestrian safety for children and pets.

The resident also raised concerns about lighting and tree removal, saying past spotlights and winter headlight glare degraded nighttime conditions and that new development could harm existing trees. Anga framed her comments around equity, saying neighbors bear local impacts while not deriving profit from redevelopment.

Zoning Administrator Katrina Griffith and Village Manager Heather Armstrong told the commission the application materials are preliminary and that statutory procedures must be followed: a public hearing must be scheduled with at least 15 days’ published notice, and properties within 300 feet must be notified consistent with the statutory notice requirements for map amendments. The commission made no decision at the meeting; commissioners recorded the resident’s concerns and directed staff to proceed with the required public-notice and administrative-review steps before any rezoning action.