Plans for a sex offender treatment facility next to a church and two area schools has some in the Town of Wintervillle upset.
Especially after a Pitt County judge ruled in favor of the proposed site.
But after almost a year in court, some still aren't willing to throw in the towel?
On May 15th, 2007 The Trinity House of Restoration, applied for a permit to build next to the Seventh- Day Adventist Church in Winterville
The facility treats sex offenders.
Shleah Sanders is a Winterville resident who opposes the facility, "I don't agree with it. I just don't feel that a sex offender can be rehabilitated I don't. I'm actually a victim of child abuse myself."
But since the facility was next door and near several schools in the area, the church sued the Town of Winterville to block the building. The church says it as worried about the children at the church play ground and school.
Back in May of 2007, Lilley tells us the Town of Winterville's Board of Adjustment created a list of specific conditions for the1.58-acre facility. Which included for starters an 8-foot high solid construction fence and a high vegetation buffer between the two adjoining property lines.
In addition, the facility would limit outdoor activities to the times when outdoor activities were not occurring at the church.
Town Planner Alan Lilley says the town held public hearings but few people took notice.
Residents like Patricia Pittman did, “I think everybody deserves a second chance…I don't have the right to say you can't live beside me.”
A judge ruled against the church last month.
On Thursday, flyers began showing up along with rumors of petitions from citizens against the site.
Problem is, unless they come from the church they won't matter if the church plans to appeal.
We attempted to contact church pastor John Seaman, but he has not returned our call.
Winterville Planner Alan Lilley tells us there is a 30-day window for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to appeal.
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