The Tuesday evening Carrollton Board of Alderman meeting consisted mostly of a heated discussion regarding a request from the Carrollton Baptist Church for obtaining a permit to have a culvert constructed on the church’s property in front of the new parking lot at 114 West Washington Street. Member Bo Ricks appeared at the meeting to represent the Carrollton Baptist Church organization. Representative Ricks presented the Board of Alderman with an elevation map to help visualize the church’s plans for the culvert.
“You don’t have a permit to put this parking lot, nor did you have a permit to put these two over here,” Alderman and Zoning Director Tommy Goodman stated, assessing the elevation map.
Representative Ricks stated that the prior two parking lots had been paved well before his time at the church. Alderman Goodman went on to explain that paving a new lot would change the water flow, likely putting more water off on residents downhill from the church. In addition, he explained that this renovation could possibly cause flooding and other waterflow issues elsewhere on the block. Alderman Bo Milton clarified that the church was attempting to reroute the water to keep the lot from flooding.
“Well I’m not going to do anything on that lot until the one that was done first gets taken care of,” Alderman Goodman stated.
Alderman Goodman was concerned that should the water be rerouted, it would cause a faster current and a larger erosion problem than already presented. His request was to have a water runoff study done, prior to any further work being conducted on the baptist church’s property. Mayor Pam Lee explained that the prior work, the two parking lots referenced, were likely created before zoning became an issue of business.
After a lengthy discussion regarding the impact of this project on water flow, the Board made a clear decision. On a motion made by Alderman Clint Gee and seconded by Alderwoman Daphne Williams with all in favor, the board decided to require the church to conduct a water run-off study “to determine how much water the areas paved/concreted by the Church are putting on surrounding property owners” according to the Board minutes. In addition, the board would require the church relay any recommendations to alleviate run-off problems presented by the construction. Alderman and Zoning Director Tommy Goodman abstained from the vote.
