PL PACKET 09201983 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

1 -5- proposed addition in a manner which might be more acceptable to the neighbors . He assured the proponents that it was not his intention • to- redesign the addition, but that he was rather seeking ways of avoiding a "win/lose" solution to the impasse. The Councilman indicated he- perceives the church' s relationship with its neighbors had become the crux of the problem. Mr. Jones responded by saying he believed some of the Commission reaction to the proposal had been exaggerated and cited the statement that "the church wall would be 38 feet high, " where in reality , "the addition would have only a ten foot wall with a sloping roof which could be constructed on a grade no more than 7 or 8 feet higher than the neighbor 's property" . The church official said that during the August 4th meeting with the residents along 36th Avenue, he had sensed some of them would oppose any expansion of the existing church building whatsoever, which "would be the same as telling us we can't build on our own property at all" . He then drew the Council 's attention to Commissioner Bowerman ' s admission in the minutes that even shorter ' sideyard setbacks, including those for his own home, are not uncommon in the City. Councilman Enrooth told him the City Ordinance deals with church buildings as conditionally permitted uses in a residential district because it is the accepted philosophy that rights of residents must be considered to take precedent over non-residential structures in the same district and the permit gives the City some leeway in setting Condit-ions for approvad--which make thet. non-residential buildings more • acceptable- to the adjoining home owners . The Councilman wondered whether the church officials had listened carefully to what Commission members and the residents were telling them were their concerns about possible harmful effects the proposed building might have on their neighbors ' use of their backyards and property values . Mayor Sundland indicated he agreed with Councilman Marks that' a "push and shove" situation should be avoided, if possible, and asked the proponents if they could see any possible alternatives for constructing the building which could be negotiated with their neighbors , with, of course, some compromise on both sides . Reverend Joseph O. Valtinson, pastor of Elmwood, told him the neighborhood opposition to the addi- tion had not been expected and he reiterated that some of the partici- pants in the August 4th meeting had even opposed the suggestion .for expanding to the front of the church. The minister said the church 's position is a difficult one because the rapid growth of the congrega- tion the last few years had made the proposed addition necessary and indicated he could foresee no other way of constructing it, perceiving the 15 foot sideyard setback to be essential to the plan. He asked, "who will decidethe issue, the City or the residents?" . However, "as a Christian minister" ,. Reverend Valtinson indicated he wanted to be reconciled with his neighbors. and said he would .be happy to follow any, directions the City could .give him .as long as they would . "achieve the church's objectives- without developing 15-different costly plans to get there" . •