Zoning commission approves plan to turn Raleigh church into a restaurant

In his presentation to the commission, the owner of 501 S. Person St., Phuc Tran, said he had met with most of the surrounding neighbors on an individual basis, and that they had overwhelmingly supported his plans. Three of those neighbors spoke in favor of the project before the commission.

Three other neighbors, however, spoke in opposition.

Veronica Alcine told commissioners she was there on behalf of the Central Citizens Advisory Council, whose members cast 21 votes against the project. Alcine said neither she nor the CAC opposed a restaurant in the neighborhood; they merely opposed a restaurant that would serve alcohol.

In addition to the potential nuisance factor that a liquor license could bring, Alcine said that serving alcohol in what was once a Seventh Day Adventist church went against the traditions of that faith.

"We want to protect the character of the neighborhood, the cultural heritage of the neighborhood," Alcine said.