PC 012407 - Laserfiche WebLink

the City would pursue growth based on the precedent that may be set at this meeting. He noted that the Church had two parking lots that respectively exit onto a good-sized street (Del Valle Parkway) and a residential street (Golden Road). He inquired whether the City would continue to pursue smart growth where traffic would be managed, neighborhoods were preserved, and the voice of the residents were considered in the planning process. He did not want the City to experience a traffic free-for-all with unchecked growth and destroyed neighborhoods. He believed the Presbyterian Church and Saint Elizabeth Seton Church decisions were fundamentally different from this proposal and did not constitute a precedent. He noted that the Presbyterian Church’s proposal did not meet with neighborhood opposition, nor did it negatively impact neighborhood traffic. Saint Elizabeth Seton Church’s proposal had some opposition from neighbors, but the parking lots moved traffic efficiently onto the streets. He noted that there was considerable opposition from the neighborhood in this application. He requested that this application be denied by the Planning Commission. Jacki Martin, 5029 Golden Road, spoke in opposition to this project and noted that while the presentation was very attractive, she did not want to live across the street from it. She did not object to the number of parking spaces but did object to the traffic from the parking lot. She noted that many groups used the facilities, including for concerts, meetings, and as a polling piece. She noted that very few of the parents of the preschool children carpooled. She suggested that the peak-use periods for this property be revisited. She believed that the plan to replace the modular buildings would use extra square footage that could be used for more activities; she was concerned about the extra traffic from those activities. She would like the Del Valle Parkway parking lot area to be increased and designated as the main parking lot for services and events. If the preschool is to be placed as planned, the Del Valle Parkway parking lot would not be used as the main parking lot for that use. She urged denial of this application and added that in 1964, there were no disclosures of a Church. Fred Martin, 5029 Golden Road, spoke in opposition to this project and noted that most of the proponents of this project did not live on Golden Road. He concurred with Jacki Martin’s comments and added that this was a very active complex, generating people and traffic. He noted that in 1999, there were 34 events per month, not including the Church services, totally 42 events. In January 2007, the events calendar included 104 activities, including services. He noted that even when the parking lot was not full, cars often parked on Golden Road. He did not mind the parking on the road but did mind the constant traffic. He urged the Planning Commission to designate Del Valle Parkway as the primary entrance and believed it could be completed in a timely and efficient manner with today’s technology. He cited the 1999 Planning Commission resolution for this project, which stated, “The existing church operation [has shown to be] compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, and the expansion should also be.” He did not believe they were compatible because of the growth and noted that it was getting bigger still. He noted that none of the Commission’s comments made to Trinity Lutheran Church at the September 13, 2006 workshop had been followed (page 9). He urged the Planning Commission to reject the project as submitted. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 24, 2007 Page 16 of 24