Building Update 5-13-08

All of the land has now been cleared.  As you know most of our water retention for our new complex is underground because of the amount of land we have available.

The Underground Company is now on site digging and putting in the pipes for the retention.  They are trying to get all the pipes done in the front area by the road so we can have some gravel parking.  Their plan is to have the front area done within 3-4 weeks.  Pray everything goes smooth.

Here are some pictures of the pipes being installed.

        

 

Building Update 4-23-08

The land is continuing to be cleared. 

This picture   is of the big mulcher in operation.  That thing is amazing.  They put in huge logs and brush and it just eats it all up and shoots out the mulch.

Everything is moving forward as planned.  The playgrounds have been moved and now fencing is being installed around them.   

We are currently moving toward getting some extra parking.  However, the land has to be cleared and underground retention has to be installed.  Of course I’ll keep you up to date on the progress.

 Here are some more pictures of the clearing. 

  

 

Building Update 4-9-08

The turtles have been removed clearing of the land has begun!   You will see tremendous progress on clearing when you come to church tonight and especially on Sunday.

Remember to keep checking in because the updates will now become more frequent since the clearing has now begun.

Building Update 4-8-08

The turtles are now leaving us.  All of the turtles should be relocated by tomorrow.  There is a possibility that some of the land will be cleared by this Sunday.

The gopher turtles were 12 feet deep in this burrow.

 

 

Building Update 4-2-08

We had an awesome Ground Breaking day on Sunday!  After years of preparation it is very exciting to begin seeing something move besides pieces of paper.

The surveyors have been here all week laying out boundaries with GPS units.  You will see stakes all over the property.  Tomorrow morning bulldozers will be here to clear paths for the silk fence.  The silk fence will be installed through Monday. 

On Tuesday the construction and environmental teams will be here to begin relocation of the gopher turtles.  The gopher turtles should be relocated by the end of next week.

During these two weeks additional City permits and inspections will be taking place.   If all goes well you will begin to see land clearing the week after the turtles are relocated.

We are well on our way.  Now that things are starting to happen on campus you will see more and more building updates.   Keep checking in because I will keep you posted on the progress of the expansion all the way through the process.

Keep praying.

Building Update 3-25-08

Today we submitted the architectural, building, and site plans to the City of Ormond Beach.  Everything went extremely well.

I would like to sincerely thank our Chief Architect, Don Kimble, for his plans and presentation to the City today.  The City’s Building Permit Official was highly impressed with the plans and presentation.  He actually asked me where we found these guys because the plans were so complete.  He usually sends plans of a project this large to an outside agency to review them.  He said that he is going to review these plans himself because they are laid out so well.  He assured us that we wouldn’t have any problems with the building department and he would work with us very closely. 

This goes back to our decision in the beginning to go with a Church Designer/Church Builder.   We chose RMessner as our Church Designer/Builder because they know churches.   So far they have proven to be an extremely valuable asset.  They came up with many great ideas to improve the building.  They said that our building is designed to be the most state of the art audio/visual building that they have every designed.  Their exact words were that our building will rival the acoustics in Carnegie Hall.

We are going to break ground on our new building this Sunday March 30, 2008.  You should start seeing silk fencing going up within a few days.  The actual clearing of the land will follow shortly thereafter. 

Ladies and Gentlemen we are on our way.

Building Update 2-15-08

We now have approval from the City of Ormond Beach. 

Click below to see the letter from the city

 City Approval 

Let the Games Begin!

Last night we got our final approval from the Ormond Beach City Commission.  We have also crossed all the hurdles with the County and are awaiting their final signatures.  We have agreements for all the easements that need to be moved (yes including American Tower.  Praise God!).  We are just waiting for final signatures on some of the easement documents.

As we clean those things up we are moving forward with the bid process.  We have already reviewed many bids and are looking through many more.  We are currently applying for the permitting we need to move forward.  The first permit we need is the permit to move some gopher turtles.  Then, follows the permit to begin clearing the land.

All those years of planning are now upon us.  Pastor Raley should announce the Groundbreaking service within a week or so.  And the clearing process should begin within a couple of weeks after we have the Groundbreaking service. 

Hold on to the handrail in front of you because ready or not here we go!

Building Update 01-16-07

Last night we met with the Ormond Beach City Commission.  Everything went well and everything passed that was on our agenda.   We meet with the City one more time on February 5th to obtain approval for our entire parking layout.

We are still waiting for approval from the County but don’t see any huge roadblocks there.   Hopefully we will have the approvals we need from the City and County to begin filing for permits after the February 5th meeting.

The only unknown at this point is the easement for American Tower.  We have verbal or written approvals from FDOT, City of Ormond Beach, FPL, and AT&T for moving their easements.  Like I mentioned in my last update the only company giving us a problem is American Tower.  I’m going to refrain from giving my thoughts with the hope and prayer that they do what is right.  Within the last couple of days we have finally got them to open dialogue again with us concerning the easements.  We ask you to pray for favor with American Tower.

There is still alot of work going on behind the scenes with our consultants, our attorneys, and the various agencies.   Please continue to keep the project high on your prayer list.

God Bless.

Pastor Troy

Update 12-21-07

Last night our project was in front of the City’s DRB (Development Review Board).   The DRB was reviewing our Special Exception as a House of Worship.

Let me explain Special Exception because some people might believe that we are getting special treatment of some kind.  That is not the case. 

A Special Exception is simply new terminology of what use to be called “conditional use” of a piece of property.   This simply means that we have a “special exception” or a “conditional use” to have a House of Worship on this piece of property.   However, any time that you make any changes to the property then you must amend the special exception to include any change that you make to the property.  Since we are adding a new building and new parking then the special exception had to be amended.

Last night the DRB recommended approval for our special exception by a vote of 4-0.  This matter, along with the balance of our zoning changes, will be taken up by the City Commission on January 15th.

At the same time we are in the process of moving all the easements on our property to the west side of the new building.  For example FPL, City, Bellsouth, AT&T, DOT, and American Tower have easements.  We are in the process of having all of them moved over at this time.  The only easement that we are having a difficult time with is American Tower.  Unfortunately, American Tower is attempting to take this opportunity to force us to sign a longer lease for the Tower.  I can assure you that is not going to happen.   I ask you to please pray for these negotiations.  We have retained Cobb Cole as our legal representation and they are working diligently to assist us get everything approved.

We still need many different departments in the City and in the County to sign off on our plans before the City Commission can give final approval.  Just pray for favor with everyone involved. 

I’ll keep you posted on the progress.

Everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!