Neighbors, church don't want new events center approved
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on September 22, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/ETHAN SMITH
Daniel Uzzell, the pastor at Word of Glory Faith Ministries, speaks against a proposal by Evelyn Hernandez to open an events center near his church that would have ABC permits. He said he is concerned about having a business that serves alcohol close to his church.
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News-Argus/ETHAN SMITH
Evelyn Hernandez defends her application for a conditional use permit to open an events center and tax office that would have ABC permits. Ms. Hernandez said the ABC permits would be secured so those who rent out the events center can serve alcohol.
A public hearing on a proposed events center on U.S. 117 drew criticism from several neighbors at Monday night's Goldsboro City Council meeting.
The proposed facility would be located on the west side of U.S. 117 between Old Waynesborough Road and Carver Boulevard. It would have a dual purpose -- an events center would operate year-round while a tax office would operate from January until April.
Evelyn Hernandez, who applied for the conditional use permit for the events center to operate with ABC permits, says the intent of the facility has been misconstrued by those in opposition.
Daniel Uzzell, the pastor of Wave of Glory Faith Ministries at 915 McDaniels St., which is near the proposed site for the events center, said traffic is already an issue in the area and the possibility of allowing the center to serve alcohol worries him.
"We've already got one club down there," Uzzell said. "The church is right there, and then you want to propose another club. With people drinking alcohol from one to the other you're going to create a lot of problems."
Ms. Hernandez said the critics misunderstand her intentions.
"I think everybody has the wrong idea about what I'm trying to do," she said. "It's not going to be a night club."
She said the facility would be rented out for parties, weddings, reunions and other private events.
Uzzell said he believes the city should not be looking to issue more ABC permits, given that there was a combined law enforcement operation over the weekend to shut down illegal liquor houses.
"You've got the police chief talking about closing clubs down, and then you've got you out here passing out ABC cards," Uzzell said. "I don't think that's right."
Ms. Hernandez said anyone looking to rent out the events center for an event that would serve alcohol would also be required, by contract, to have security at the event.
"We'll have the police department there to ensure that, if there is going to be alcohol being served, that there's enough security to make sure people don't get out of hand, or there aren't any kind of issues or problems. But it is not going to be a night club. We're not going to be having concerts there ... it's not that type of place. It's family reunions, birthday parties, weddings, church events, you know, whatever they want to use the building for. But no nightclub."
Uzzell said the church plans to build a children's day care and nursery facility in 2016, and said he is concerned about the clientele that would frequent both the existing club and proposed events center being close to children.
Dennis Edwards, president of Edwards Truck Services and Body Shop at 915 U.S. 117, also expressed concern over the proposal.
"We tow for the police department, the sheriff's department and the highway patrol -- we're there all hours of the night," Edwards said. "For the safety of my tow drivers, for one thing, for the management of our property -- it's a thing where it's only going to be headaches and disappointment for all parties concerned."
The city council did not vote on the request from Ms. Hernandez for a conditional use permit, and the city's planning commission will recommend a course of action for the council at its meeting Oct. 5.