By Anna Guido
Enquirer contributor

LIBERTY TWP. - The board of zoning appeals has denied a proposed building addition at Lakota Christian Church, one of many churches in the northern suburbs trying to keep up with growth.

The 40,000-square-foot, two-level church, on 15 acres at Hamilton-Mason and LeSourdesville-West Chester roads, was built in 1993, expanded in 1997 and wants to add another 30,000 square feet. .

"They've not been told that they can't expand - they've been told that they can't expand with the plan that they've proposed," township zoning supervisor Barry Tiffany said. Mr. Tiffany said the five-member board unanimously rejected the building proposal primarily because it is not compatible in size and scale to adjacent property.

More than 20 neighbors from Brightwaters Court in the Woodmoor Terrace subdivision packed the township hall Jan. 14 to protest.

"The abutting property owners really have a philosophical disagreement with the church getting even closer to them," said Margy Conditt, president of the homeowners association and a former township trustee.

"Their issues are mainly privacy and some lighting, and concern about water runoff," Ms. Conditt said.

Lakota Christian is one of several churches to open or expand in Liberty Township in recent years to serve the area's growing population. Others are St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish and Princeton Pike Church of God, both of which had opposition from nearby homeowners.

Lakota Christian's senior pastor, Stephen Sams, said combined attendance at his two Sunday services is about 900 and represents a 48 percent growth since 1998.

"You have to see a church like you see a school - both of us are meeting a community need and servicing the community," Pastor Sams said. "I think everybody wants the benefit of the services offered, but I think the issue comes when it's in their backyard."

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