See map.

See information on organization

7/31/2007

I have discovered that there is a group trying to get approval to build a church just off of Bradbury Circle in Lake Forest.  It just does not seem like an appropriate location and there does not seem to be much known about the organization.  I don't believe Lake Forest is zoned for this type of business, but I am told that schools and churches may be excepted from normal zoning rules.  I have already walked around part of the neighborhood to let as many people as I can know about it.  I would appreciate it if you would put this on the website so that more people may be reached.  The people in this area need to investigate this idea and show up at the zoning meeting to voice their opinions.  I have attached a copy of a letter that I have written to the City Council.  (See documents) I hope that others will also become involved.

My wife and I drove around that area over the weekend and I just cannot see why anyone would even want to open any kind of business there, including a church.  Not only is normal access through Lake Forest a little more difficult than the ordinary, but this spot is so far off the beaten path that it would a bear for people unfamiliar with the neighborhood to reach.  It is actually in an area within the subdivision that is not really part of the subdivision.  To get to it one much drive down a very narrow alley about the size of a small residential driveway in Lake Forest.  In fact, it is a driveway to a couple of homes that were here prior to the development of Lake Forest.  At the very least it would seem that the city would have to require a pretty significant investment in infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer before they would allow a business, church or otherwise, to go back there.   It is off of Montclair Loop on the south side of the subdivision.

7/31/2007

I have just found out over the weekend (7/29/07) that at the end of Bradbury Court extension - a dirt road off Bradbury Court (I live at Montclair Loop and Bradbury Court), that a church is being constructed off of Bradbury Court Extension Road. What will this do to traffic in Lake Forest - especially on Montclair Loop and Bradbury Court (a very short street) . . . also, how can a commercial building be constructed when this is in a residential area? Does anyone have more information on this new development? I have emailed my councilman, but haven't heard back as yet.

8/1/2007

All the following information was obtained through public records. 7 individuals make up Restoration Fellowship Ministries, Inc.  One lives in Mobile.  The others live in Daphne - but not in Lake Forest.  Restoration Fellowship Ministries, Inc. was incorporated on 12/6/2006.  They purchased the property on July 16, 2007.  They obtained a mortgage through BankTrust in the amount of $45,500.00 on July 16, 2007.  Six of the individuals have some traffic violation on record - mostly speeding.  One has a domestic violence record.  Three have filed bankruptcy since 2002.  If I find out anything else, I'll let you know.

The names of the seven individuals were included in the contribution.  However, the Weblord decided not to publish them.  Although this information has not been authenticated by the Weblord, as stated, it is public record, if anyone really wants to find out.

8/3/2007

I sure hope that this church idea is a big joke. I live on Montclair Loop, and I would certainly protest that construction. Might as well put up a Rite Aid on the corner as well. While we are at it, a nice Burger King would look great near the 11th hole. That would be great, pray, eat, and get prescriptions filled while never leaving Lake Forrest.

I don't think anyone is joking.  The question is whether the authorities with control over zoning take it seriously or not.

8/4/2007

Mitch:  If you look at the documents attached to the 7/31/07 email regarding the "church" property . . . the last document is a profile of Restoration Fellowship Ministries provided by Manta who receives their information from Dun & Bradstreet . . .   I logged into "manta", who provided this profile service, and the U. S. Dept. of Labor's "SIC" (standard industrial classification) code for Restoration Fellowship Ministries is "8339" . . .   if you go to the U. S. Dept. of Labor's website and look up this SIC # Code, it is for "Social Services" which includes any of the following: Advocacy groups, antipoverty boards, community action agencies, community chests, community development groups, councils for social agencies (for exceptional children and poverty), fundraising organizations, health and welfare councils, health systems agencies, regional planning organizations, social change associations, social service information exchanges (alcoholism, drug addiction), and united fund councils .   Nowhere does it list "church".  However, if you type in "religious organizations" on the U. S. Dept. of Labor's website, the SIC # Code for "church" is "866".   This SIC Code includes churches, convents, monasteries, religious instruction, religious organizations, shrines, and temples . . . so, what IS Restoration Fellowship Ministries, if it is not a church????

Don't know.  But, when one of the people living in the area heard men clearing the lot, he asked them what they were doing.  They said. "We are doing the Lord's work.  We are going to build a church."  I still cannot understand why they would want to do it in such a remote, hard to get to area.  According to the reports, the company was only started in 2006.  Do they even have a congregation?

8/6/2007

Mitch: UPDATE of Restoration Fellowship Ministries: Per Dun & Bradstreet report: they list their address in Daphne as 6200 Bay Front Park Drive - which is the pavilion at the end of Bay Front Park Drive - which I believe is owned by the City of Daphne.

Also, according to other sources which personally have paid Dun & Bradstreet for the information - not ONLY has Restoration Fellowship Ministries listed the SIC Code 8399 - Social Service (Churches being SIC Code 8661), but Restoration Fellowship Ministries has listed two additional SIC Codes: (1) 8322 - Individual and Family Social Services and (2) 8611 - Business Associations. None of these mention being a "church" . . . the Dun & Bradstreet File Number for Restoration Fellowship Ministries is 79-061-7828 ... and the information was personally supplied via the internet by Starling King - one of the members of this so-called "church". SIC Code: 8322: activity centers; adoption services; adult day care centers; aid to families; alcoholism counseling; centers for senior citizens; child guidance; counseling; crisis centers; disaster services; family counseling; marriage counseling; meal delivery; public welfare; etc. SIC Code 8611: better business bureaus; boards of trade; business associations - other than civic and social; chambers of commerce; contractor's associations; growers' associations; junior chamber of commerce; merchants' associations; public utility associations; real estate boards; shipping and steamship; and trade associations. AGAIN, there is no mention of "church" in any of these SIC Codes.

8/6/2007

I took a look at the property they are clearing for this "church". Sure enough, it is getting prepared for something. That last entry was pretty interesting. So, what we have here is 7 people, several who have shady records, building something that is not exactly a church? Come on guys, there has to be someone who smells a fish! I do.

8/6/2007

Mitch: URGENT - UPDATE: We have been "barking up the wrong tree" in regard to the "church" property . . . it is NOT the City of Daphne/City Council we need to inundate with our thoughts . . . it is the City's BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS (BZA). Per responses from Gus Palumbo and Cathy Barnette - it is the BZA who will make the decision - city council has NOTHING to do with zoning. The hearing by the BZA on the "church" matter is set for Sept. 6 at City Hall. The members of the BZA are: Glen Swaney, Chairman 629 Bayhill Drive Daphne, AL 36526 626-0217 Billy Mayhand, Vice Chairman P. O. Box 373 Daphne, AL 36526 626-2782 Walter Crimmins, Secretary 44 Lake Shore Drive Daphne, AL 36526 626-9506 Jeri Hargis 1025 Sea Cliff North Daphne, AL 626-6114 Willie Robison 560 Stuart Street Daphne, AL 36526 626-3001 WRITE LETTERS AND CALL THESE BZA MEMBERS PRIOR TO THE SEPT. 6 HEARING.

8/6/2007

Some of the reports on the people involved with the group that is supposedly trying to build the church have been less than flattering.  While things like traffic violations and bankruptcies may not generate much confidence on the part of the residents, they do not necessarily mean that they are not sincere in their mission.  One of the issues that should be of concern in the opinion of this writer is whether or not they have the ability to follow through on their plan.   Do they have the financial resources to do it right?   Or, would they get something started that may never be completed and then end up leaving a mess for someone else to live with or clean up?  Does their plan even call for a facility that will meet the standards of the community?   We've have had the skeletons of good intentions left behind in Lake Forest before.   That is one of the places that the zoning board should direct their attention.

8/8/2007

They should not have been clearing land without an approved site plan.  All buildings of this type require a planning commission approval for the site to insure it meets development standards. What we have here, if land is cleared without these permits, is another law violation to add to the list.  Who allowed them to clear the property?  Are there tree protection violations as well?  Ed Kirby should be able to stop whatever work was started.

8/10/2007

A few more things about the church issue . . . one resident has seen the church's application to the BZA - in it, the church states that they will meet on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Sundays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Also, they did not have any plans for "off site" parking (parking other than on the church property). They also listed their membership base as 100 members . . . oh, great . . . so three times a week we'll have at least 50 cars up and down a cul de sac with some of them (probably) parking in the cul de sac . . . much less when their "membership" base grows and there are more vehicles on such a small street. It was heard that the BZA has requested that the church submit their "site" plans asap. Also, the church has been meeting (and continues to meet - reservations confirmed through the City of Daphne who rents the Pavillion) at the Bay Front Park Drive Pavillion . . . this property is owned by the city and is rented out to "groups", i.e., weddings, parties, etc.

8/10/2007

There were about a dozen or so residents who attended the Special Board meeting last night (8/8/07) . . . first item on the agenda was the "church" issue which caused one of the board members to recuse himself from the discussion since he's on the BZA . . . the board approved a mailer to all Lake Forest residents regarding both issues - the church and the apartments . . .the mailer should be going out asap. The board also approved the hiring of Jerry Speegle, an attorney in Mobile, to represent the interests of LFPOA on a continuing basis - not just for the instant issues. We still need residents to sign petitions, attend the Aug. 20 City Council meeting and the Sept. 6 BZA meeting . . . get the word out! THERE WILL BE A MEETING ON AUGUST 14 AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE 19TH HOLE TO CONTINUE OUR PARTICIPATION AND STRATEGIES IN THE APARTMENT AND CHURCH ISSUES . . . PLEASE ATTEND!

It has also been reported that the board cancelled their previous plan to vote the common property.  They also voted to write letters of opposition to both the apartment expansion issue and the "church" issue.   One would have to say that our humble little website is providing a valuable service to Lake Forest.  That is, unless you believe that these actions are only coincidental to all of the discussions that have been taking place here about those issues . 

Reportedly, Henry moved to withdraw all motions from previous meetings regarding the voting common property matter.  One wonders what Robert's Rule of Order has to say about the ability to backdate action like that.   The motions were made and passed.  They cannot be withdrawn.  The decisions can be cancelled by subsequent motions as was done in this case.