Church's Parking Plans Stir Atlantans

"The fight has played out through neighborhood meetings, the neighborhood planning unit and at City Hall, with the Midtown Neighbors’ Association unanimously opposing it at every point."

"MNA President Elston Collins, who left the church over the dispute, said that will continue today. Collins said he feels the neighborhood simply can’t allow old homes to be wiped away for more parking spaces. And he noted that Blueprint Midtown, the community-approved planning guide for Midtown, specifically opposes more demolition to create parking."

"The church, however, contends it should already have demolished the houses and that there’s no legal reason for Atlanta to keep blocking its plan. The structures have no special historic or other protection, the church argues."