Greenfield says no to Mormon church along busy street

Concern about traffic on a street which residents already feel is crowded heavily contributed to the Greenfield Common Council's decision last night to deny the construction of a Mormon church on the southeast corner of 35th Street and Barnard Avenue.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints wanted to build a sanctuary on 4.2 acres of vacant land for two of its congregations that now meet in Hales Corners.

The congregations, each between 300 and 500 people, would have held separate services at the church, adding about 115 cars going and coming twice a day on Sundays, a church representative estimated.

The church also would schedule some evening activities involving as many as 30 cars coming and going.

Church officials indicated they will continue to look for space in Greenfield because the city is in a good location for its members.