If you have heard a few rumbles coming from Hendersonville lately, don’t worry. It wasn’t thunder, construction, or somebody complaining about traffic on Indian Lake Boulevard.
This time, the noise started with a Blessing Box.
Holiday Heights Baptist Church in Hendersonville recently introduced a new Blessing Box designed to help people in our community. The idea behind it could not be much simpler:
Give a little if you can. Take a little if you need it.
Food and basic necessities go in. Neighbors who need a helping hand can take what they need. No paperwork. No embarrassing questions. No long lines.
Then came an unexpected addition to the plan from the City of Hendersonville.
That will be $126, please.
Wait. What?
A Blessing Box With a Site Plan Fee?
According to those involved with the project, Holiday Heights Baptist Church satisfied the normal zoning requirements and easement restrictions for its new Blessing Box. Then the church received an invoice for $126 for a mini site plan review.
Polly Harrison-Neely, representing Holiday Heights Baptist Church, had a pretty simple response:
“NO Can Do!”
And that is where this story gets a little sticky.
The phrase “Give a Little, Take a Little” was created for people who want to donate and for neighbors who may need a hand up. It was never supposed to mean, “Give a little to the community, and then let the city take a little too.”
According to information shared about the issue, Hendersonville is the only city in Sumner County currently requiring this type of fee for Blessing Boxes and Little Free Libraries.
That raises a fair question:
Why are we charging people for trying to help people?
There are certainly good reasons for zoning rules. Nobody is suggesting that residents should be able to build whatever they want, wherever they want, without considering safety, property lines, visibility, or easements.
But common sense should have a seat at the table too.
A Blessing Box is not a shopping center. It is not a new apartment complex. It is not a 200-space parking lot.
It is a small box filled with food for someone who might be hungry.
Hendersonville Residents Speak Up
After the fee came to light, the issue was brought to the attention of Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary.
According to those involved, Mayor Clary said he would look into the situation. Dale Payne, who built the Blessing Box, later visited the city seeking additional answers.
The issue then reached Ward 6 Alderman Eddie Roberson, who said he would work to address it.
And it appears that effort is now moving forward.
A big thank-you goes to Alderman Eddie Roberson for helping bring the issue before the Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen, better known as BOMA.
After learning about the Blessing Box issue, Clary said he contacted the city attorney and planning director and asked city staff to prepare a resolution that would allow the city to waive these fees.
The proposal is expected to go before the city’s Finance Committee and BOMA on July 28.
Sometimes Common Sense Needs a Little Push
This issue is about more than $126.
For some organizations, $126 may not sound like a huge amount of money. But for a small church, nonprofit, neighborhood group, or individual trying to do something good, every dollar matters.
That $126 could buy canned food.
It could buy books for children.
It could stock a Blessing Box several times.
Instead, under the current rules, it pays for a mini site plan review.
Government rules are often created for good reasons, but sometimes those rules end up being applied to situations nobody originally considered. When that happens, our elected leaders should be willing to listen, review the situation, and make reasonable changes.
That appears to be what is happening here.
Credit should go to the residents who spoke up, to Polly Harrison-Neely for saying something needed to change, to Dale Payne for continuing to ask questions, to Alderman Eddie Roberson for helping move the issue forward, and to Mayor Jamie Clary and city staff for working on a possible solution.
Now it will be up to BOMA to finish the job.
A Blessing Built by the Community
The new Holiday Heights Baptist Church Blessing Box is a community effort from beginning to end.
It was built by Dale Payne, designed by Robby Gray, with graphics created by Katie Rose Creative.
More importantly, it was created with one purpose: to help people.
That is exactly the kind of thing Hendersonville should encourage.
If someone wants to build a giant flashing sign in their front yard, sure, somebody at City Hall might need to take a look.
But if a church wants to put up a small box where someone can leave a can of soup and another person can take it home for dinner, maybe the best government fee is no fee at all.
The message of the Blessing Box remains simple:
Give a little. Take a little. Help your neighbor.
Hopefully, after July 28, the City of Hendersonville can officially add one more line:
And keep the $126 in the Blessing Box where it can actually bless somebody.
Come Visit Holiday Heights Baptist Church
Holiday Heights Baptist Church would love to welcome you and your family.
Whether you are looking for a church home, want to grow in your faith, need some encouragement, or simply want to visit and meet people from the community, the doors are open and there is a place for you.
Come and join us at:
Holiday Heights Baptist Church
145 River Rd.
Hendersonville, TN
Sunday Services
9:45 a.m. – Bible Study
11:00 a.m. – Worship Service
Come as you are, bring your family, and join a church that believes in serving God by serving others.
While you’re there, stop by the new Blessing Box. If you have a little extra, give a little. If you need a helping hand, take what you need.
Sometimes the biggest difference in someone’s life can begin with something as simple as a can of food, a good book, a kind word, or knowing that someone in their community cares.
Everyone is welcome at Holiday Heights Baptist Church. We hope to see you soon!
