Pocatello group fighting rezoning for Big Momma’s House project

A Pocatello group is holding a meeting this weekend in an attempt to fight the rezoning of 1250 Pershing Ave, the proposed site of the new Big Momma’s House apartment complex.

The group is arguing the project would completely change the dynamic of the area and would be right in the backyard of several homes.

Pastor Jacqualine “Big Momma” Thomas has been working to build a property to house Pocatello’s homeless for several years now and just announced the plans for this project a few weeks ago.

The group isn’t against her plan, just where she plans to build.

The area is currently, and has for the 50 or so years, been zoned as residential, and the group argues that rezoning the lot would completely change the area.

Citing concerns from safety and traffic to lighting, members of the community have circulated at least three petitions, gathering signatures in the hundreds.

The city has officially scheduled a public hearing for rezoning on October 10th.

Calls to Pastor Thomas were not immediately returned Thursday.

A neighborhood meeting to discuss the rezoning is taking place on Saturday at 4 p.m. at 383 McCormack in Pocatello.