SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Even though land has been purchased in the Niven Lake subdivision for a new Kingdom Hall for Yellowknife's Jehovah's Witness population, one church in the area thinks the building should be constructed elsewhere.

A public hearing was held during Monday evening's city council meeting to hear what the residents have to say about the development proposed for the corner of Haener Drive and Niven Gate.

Changes to the city's zoning bylaw allowing for a church to be built on the property unanimously passed second reading Monday night. Councillors Bob Brooks, David Wind and Amanda Mallon were absent.

The vote came after council received two letters from representatives of the Cornerstone Pentecostal Church - also located on Haener Drive - stating they think one church in the area is enough.

Chris Watkins, a resident of Haener Drive and pastor of the Pentecostal Church, wrote on Aug. 6 that, he doesn't agree with the logic of building another church so close to his. He said his congregation agrees.

"As the pastor representing the congregation of the Cornerstone Pentecostal Church... we are absolutely against the proposed bylaw amendments."

He wrote he does not have a problem with the relocation of Kingdom Hall, he just wants it to be built elsewhere.

"At the present time, the churches of Yellowknife are spread out in various areas of the city, making a good addition to the overall development plan of the city," he stated in the letter.

Dennis Tung, a member of the Jehovah's Witness congregation, disagrees.

He told Yellowknifer the presence of both churches in the area will give residents the power of choice.

He said he has no issue sharing the area with the Pentecostal Church.

"We're certainly happy to be a neighbour to them," Tung said.

The congregation finalized the purchase of the land one month ago and just need the bylaw to pass third reading so the project can go ahead.

There are between 70 and 75 members in Yellowknife, according to Tung.

This will be the third time the congregation has outgrown their building. The original Kingdom Hall was located in Old Town and the second hall was on Franklin Avenue next to where Aven Manor is today. The congregation moved out of the Kingdom Hall located on Burwash Drive last week and has rented a space downtown for the next year until the new building is ready.

Despite some opposition, Tung said most neighbours are on board.

The building committee "went to great lengths to make sure the building would be compatible with the residential area," he said.

He said the project has been planned to have as little impact on the community as possible and explained a large parking lot planned for the site will be where the construction materials and equipment for the project will be stored.

He said landscaping plans include using only plants native to the area and adaptable plants to "preserve the beauty of the North."

Four families reside within two blocks of the proposed church, and said all of them are on board with the project, said Tung.

He said from start to finish, the construction of the building will take about three months. Tentative construction of the foundation will begin next May, with construction including landscaping to be finished by August, he said.

John Dick, also a member of the congregation, remembered when the first Kingdom Hall in Yellowknife was built in 1971.

He said sometimes people get funny ideas about his faith.

"It would be kind of nice if people could talk to us and they'll find out we're just normal people - neighbours and friends," he said.

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