All Saints Episcopal parking proposal opposed by planning commission

The hot topic of the night at the Oct. 6 planning commission meeting was a request by All Saints Episcopal Church to rezone a lot from Neighborhood Preservation District to Institutional District in order to add parking spaces.

The church rector and representatives of Williams Blackstock Architects presented their plans for the lot, which would include moving a section of existing alleyway on the south side of the church to make room for 13 parking spaces.

The church has about 180 students in its preschool and said they had heard concerns from neighbors about the traffic and on-street parking during daily drop-off and pickup. The parking spaces would cost roughly $10,000 to build and an additional 12-13 spaces could be built next to them in the future, when the church has the necessary funds.

Residents at the meeting were opposed to the project and its effect on property values and existing green space, some of which would be removed to add the parking. One resident whose garage faces the alley shared her concern that she would be unable to enter and exit her driveway once the alley was shifted. Others felt that 13 spaces wouldn't impact traffic problems and recommended that the church use property nearer Oxmoor Road, which has more room for a lot.

The architects said that the incline on the Oxmoor Road side of All Saints' property would require grading, which is more expensive and would reduce the amount of usable land. Currently, All Saints has 250 seats in its main sanctuary and 60 parking spaces, with many members of its congregation walking to Sunday services. The architects clarified that these spaces were needed for the "glut" of cars at the church on weekday mornings and afternoons related to the preschool, not at all times.

In response to a question from the commission, the church rector said that they could do without the proposed parking spaces and that the proposal had been created as a way to solve complaints they had heard. The commission voted 6-1 against the proposal, with Fred Azbik voting in favor. The issue will go before the city council for a final decision.