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Church representatives press for 8‑foot wood fence to limit parking and liability
Summary
Representatives from Sunnyvale 1st Baptist, New Covenant UMC and Dallas Apostolic voiced concerns about spectator parking, liability and safety and urged an 8‑foot wood fence that would extend to Beltline; developer says landscaping is preferred but will meet to negotiate.
Multiple church representatives told the Planning and Zoning Commission they prefer an 8‑foot wood fence rather than the developer’s proposed 6‑foot black chain‑link with windscreen, citing liability, parking and security concerns.
Russell Shaw, facilities director at Sunnyvale 1st Baptist Church, urged that the fence be wood and raised to eight feet, saying it would “discourage climbing and lower that ability” and reduce liability for the church. Marcia Matush, representing New Covenant United Methodist Church, asked that the barrier continue to Beltline Road and said the expense of recurring parking and trespass issues should not be borne by the churches. Paul Jones read an email from a pastor at Dallas Apostolic that echoed the request for an 8‑foot wood fence and emphasized security concerns for houses of worship. The developer responded that he prefers landscaping and that a short fence would not completely prevent access, but said he would meet with churches to seek a mutually acceptable screening solution.
