Marietta officials want to expand Roswell Street, but in order to do that, they would need to take about 80 parking spots owned by a 70-year-old church. About 200 members of the Roswell Street Baptist Church showed up to protest the move.
Church leaders say what the city wants to pay for the space is unfair.
"Now they want to just do a cash settlement for $365,000 and I've got an appraisal for $1.6 million," said Dr. Ernest Easley of the church.
A motion was on Wednesday's City Council meeting agenda that would have condemned the church so that Marietta could take it by eminent domain.
"I mean let's face it, that's a nasty word, especially when you talk about a city government and a church," said Easley.
After they saw the hundreds of church members in attendance, the council took the eminent domain decision off the table for now, and instead voted to go into mediation with the church.
"My desire is to try to hammer this out, work with the church and let the church work with the city also and to try and find some common ground," said Marietta City Councilmember Anthony Coleman.
The two sides have been arguing over the issue for nearly a decade.
"All we're asking is from the city, to be fair, you know, to give us a fair amount of money for the land that they're taking from us," said Easley.
A professional mediator will be brought in to try to help reach a decision.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:48 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:48:59 GMT
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.Spartacus, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, was found dead in his handler's patrol car. Authorities later
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:42 GMT
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:53 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:53:05 GMT
A local couple is happy to hear that members of a morning radio show fired for mocking a former ex-NFL star battling ALS now admit that they went too far.
A local couple is happy to hear that members of a morning radio show fired for mocking a former ex-NFL star battling ALS now admit that they went too far.
