Council abandons Leonard Street for St. Paul United Methodist Church construction

A section of Columbus Council erupted into applauds late Tuesday after councilors agreed to close and abandon a section of Leonard Street to make way for new construction at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

The 10-member council approved the request from the church with councilors Berry “Skip” Henderson and Mike Baker recusing themselves from the vote. Henderson noted that he has been a member of the church for more than 25 years. Approval of the proposal ends a more than a two-month battle between residents opposed to the action and those supporting it.

As part of the agreement to approve the request, the church will hold neighborhood meetings at least once a month through the design phase of the construction. The church also will exceed the requirements for trees, landscaping and buffer requirements under the unified development ordinance.

Before the vote, an area resident asked the council to reconsider the proposal. The church has the right to develop its property, but the city owns the street, she said.

Councilor Walker Garrett said he had met with residents throughout the process. “They are doing their best effort to respect neighbors,” he said of the church. “ I know they’re still not happy. We have spent a lot of time, and St Paul is doing what they can, too.”

This story was originally published June 20, 2017 at 9:42 PM with the headline "Council abandons Leonard Street for St. Paul United Methodist Church construction."