Some neighbors against proposed church near homes in Golden Gate Estates

There is a proposal to build a church in a Golden Gate Estates neighborhood that is causing controversy among community members.

If approved, the church would be located at the corner of 8th Street NE and 22nd Avenue NE.

We spoke with an engineering firm that told us the church is currently renting, and it would like its own place with more space for its services.

It’s something everyone on a neighborhood street feels strongly about, some saying there are better places for a church besides their neighborhood. Others say they welcome the growth.

“I was talking to my husband yesterday, and he was saying the same thing that it’s going to get bad about the traffic,” Joaquina Garcia said.

Others against the church also say the proposed space is residential and should stay that way.

“We moved out here to be away from everything,” Richard Keyser said.

Some neighbors see it as a positive, a sign of growth they’ve been hoping to see.

“We wanted to see more things closer for us here in the estates,” Jim Melle said. “So I do. I welcome all the growth.”

Some pointed out the police presence in the area, saying things would not get out of control if a Church was added to this corner.

“It’s not bad,” Alexander Leoni said. “The law enforcement does a good job at maintaining the traffic.”

RDA Consulting Engineers will be hosting a “Neighborhood Information Meeting” about the church proposal.

People in the nearby communities are encouraged to attend and learn about the project and share their concerns and ideas about the project.

The meeting will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, April 29 at Iglesia Pentecostes Peniel Church (13260 Immokalee Road, Suite 7. Naples, FL 34120).