Accountable: Church construction stirs zoning uproar as Nederland citizen decries 'monstrosity'

A zoning controversy in Nederland is at a tipping point. The heated argument surrounds a new construction at the corner of S. 20th and Avenue C. It's an expansion project by the Apostolic Tabernacle of Texas. Work crews are in the final phase of construction of a fellowship hall located behind the church. Concerned citizen Jolei Shipley says the building is about 12,000 square feet and is considered a commercial property that should be prohibited in an area zoned for residential single-family dwellings. "The neighbors are all concerned about the construction of a commercial building, like a little Walmart, in the middle of a purely residential neighborhood. Nederland's got zoning laws, and this area is zoned for residential homes only. You can't even build a duplex here. And they built this monstrosity of a commercial building right in the middle of it," said Shipley. Newly elected mayor Jeff Darby says the building was permitted during the previous administration. Darby tells Accountable senior reporter Erika Harris he is calling a special meeting for June 9. Darby says the meeting will include the entire council, city attorney, city manager, and the city's chief building inspector. Here is a link to Nederland's zoning ordinance and zoning map: https://library.municode.com/tx/neder... https://www.ci.nederland.tx.us/upload... If you have a story idea about holding government accountable, send emails to [email protected] Accountable airs every Wednesday at 6pm on KFDM and at 9pm on Fox 4 News. _______________ Follow KFDM on social media: KFDM on Facebook:   / kfdmnews   KFDM on Twitter:   / kfdmnews   Subscribe to KFDM on YouTube:    / @newsonkfdm   For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit https://kfdm.com/ Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://kfdm.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 409.892.6622 KFDM is a TX based station and CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. KBTV is a TX based station and Fox Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates. #kfdm #kfdmnews #beaumont #beaumontnews #KFDM #KFDMNews #localnews #breakingnews