September 30, 2008 Panel denies Bossier church's bid for 200-foot cross  By Drew Pierson dpierson@gannett.com Elders of a Bossier Parish church say despite a setback Monday, they are not abandoning efforts to build a 200-foot-tall cross. "This is a sad day for Bossier," Andy Harris, pastor of Central Assembly of God, said after the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission's Board of Adjustment voted 4-1 against the church's request for an exception to allow the cross. The church's property at 700 U.S. Highway 80 in Bossier Parish is zoned for a maximum height of 45 feet. To go higher than that requires a variance from the planning commission. The church filed such a request. Planning commission staffers recommended against the proposal because local laws specify people or organizations applying for a special exception must prove a hardship or some special need, among other things. Harris and dozens of supporters came to the Bossier City Council Chambers on Monday, making the chambers almost standing room only. The Board of Adjustment's five voting members listened to Harris speak then watched a short video illustrating a three-dimensional image of what the cross would look like from the road. One church supporter asked everyone in favor of the proposal to stand. A wall of people — nearly the entire room — did so. Bossier City resident Adelaide Brennan spoke against the proposal to erect the cross. "This would be a dominating piece of propaganda against the skyline. ... I don't really want Bossier City to be known for having the tallest cross." After listening to two more people and commission staffers saying they hadn't heard any objection from Barksdale Air Force Base, the board voted 4-1 to deny the request. "I don't believe in secular progressivism," board member Dan McGrath, who cast the dissenting vote, said after the meeting. "And I believe the church should be allowed to do it." Other than getting Bossier Parish to change its laws, commission staffers informed Harris his church's only recourse is to appeal to Bossier District Court within 30 days. After the meeting, Harris immediately began discussing the matter with church attorneys. And Executive Pastor Carlton Gilmer said the situation is not over. "We will carry it to a legal matter," Gilmer said. "We were hoping this would be a friendly issue, and I'm shocked it didn't pass. ... It's a sad day in our city."

September 30, 2008

Panel denies Bossier church's bid for 200-foot cross

By Drew Pierson
dpierson@gannett.com

Elders of a Bossier Parish church say despite a setback Monday, they are not abandoning efforts to build a 200-foot-tall cross.

"This is a sad day for Bossier," Andy Harris, pastor of Central Assembly of God, said after the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission's Board of Adjustment voted 4-1 against the church's request for an exception to allow the cross.

The church's property at 700 U.S. Highway 80 in Bossier Parish is zoned for a maximum height of 45 feet. To go higher than that requires a variance from the planning commission. The church filed such a request.

Planning commission staffers recommended against the proposal because local laws specify people or organizations applying for a special exception must prove a hardship or some special need, among other things.

Harris and dozens of supporters came to the Bossier City Council Chambers on Monday, making the chambers almost standing room only.

The Board of Adjustment's five voting members listened to Harris speak then watched a short video illustrating a three-dimensional image of what the cross would look like from the road.

One church supporter asked everyone in favor of the proposal to stand. A wall of people — nearly the entire room — did so.

Bossier City resident Adelaide Brennan spoke against the proposal to erect the cross. "This would be a dominating piece of propaganda against the skyline. ... I don't really want Bossier City to be known for having the tallest cross."

After listening to two more people and commission staffers saying they hadn't heard any objection from Barksdale Air Force Base, the board voted 4-1 to deny the request.

"I don't believe in secular progressivism," board member Dan McGrath, who cast the dissenting vote, said after the meeting. "And I believe the church should be allowed to do it."

Other than getting Bossier Parish to change its laws, commission staffers informed Harris his church's only recourse is to appeal to Bossier District Court within 30 days.

After the meeting, Harris immediately began discussing the matter with church attorneys. And Executive Pastor Carlton Gilmer said the situation is not over.

"We will carry it to a legal matter," Gilmer said. "We were hoping this would be a friendly issue, and I'm shocked it didn't pass. ... It's a sad day in our city."