
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 11, 1993                   TAG: 9309110086
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV 1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

DECISION ON RADFORD WITNESSES' HALL SET MONDAY

The city's congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses will learn Monday night whether it will be permitted to build a Kingdom Hall on property it owns next to Grove United Methodist Church on Tyler Avenue.

Council has scheduled both a public hearing and a vote on the congregation's second request for a special-use permit to build on the site, which is zoned R2 residential. Last month, the Planning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend that council approve the Jehovah's Witnesses' latest application, which has generated considerable controversy.

The congregation's first try to gain permission to build failed in City Council last year after Councilman Bob Nicholson - a Grove Church member - did not attend, and the short-handed council deadlocked on the issue. This year, all council members are expected to be on hand for the vote.

Councilwoman Polly Corn - a Grove Church member who also sits on the Planning Commission - voted against the application in the Planning Commission and is expected to vote "no" when council takes up the question Monday. Two other Grove Church members on the Planning Commission voted in favor of sending the favorable recommendation to council.

The Jehovah's Witnesses and the Methodists have been cooperating since May in trying to find an alternative site for the Kingdom Hall.

After last month's Planning Commission vote, Steve Waller, a Jehovah's Witnesses official, said his congregation might agree to sell the property to Grove Church if a suitable, alternative site were to become available. "We're not close-minded to doing that. If we are turned down [by City Council], then that forces us to make that decision," Waller said.

Grove United Methodist Church Pastor Clarence Dishman said last month that his church had referred the Jehovah's Witnesses to nine different sites so far. However, he said the Jehovah's Witnesses "made it quite clear that they would go through the whole [application] process" before considering other properties.

In other business, council will consider buying two new fire trucks. City fire officials have cited "a critical need" for the new vehicles.

Chief Martin Roberts has proposed an eight-year lease-purchase for one truck, which ultimately will cost the city just over $399,000. If council approves, the other vehicle will be purchased for $225,283.

Council also is expected to approve a resolution declaring the week of Oct. 3 as Fire Prevention Week, and Oct. 3 as Firefighter Memorial Day.

by CNB