The New Hope Baptist Church, located at 824 North 19th Street, desires to reconstruct the church building destroyed by a fire several years ago.  Since this is a new building, the church must comply with city code, which requires 16 parking stalls.  They are in the process of submitting a building permit application.  The site plan shows room for 2 off-street parking stalls, therefore, they are seeking a variance from city code.  While the Board of Adjustment reviews zoning variances, the parking requirements are in the site development code and the Council is the only body authorized to grant a variance.   

The original building was constructed in 1940 and it is assumed that it was a residence.  In 1960, the property was converted into a church, which later sold in 1985 to the New Hope Baptist Church. The original building, utilizing today's code for off-street parking, would have required 16 parking stalls.  Since the parking requirements for the old and the new building are the same, there will not be a more intense demand for on-street parking in the neighborhood.

Members of the church have indicated that a parking variance was previously granted, but any documentation was consumed in the fire.  City staff could not find an off street parking variance in the City's records .

The City Council may:

• Approve the variance. Approval of the variance will allow New Hope Baptist Church reconstruction to move forward with two parking stalls.
  
  
•  Do not approve the variance. If the variance is denied, the Site Development Ordinance will require redesign of the facility to provide the additional off-street parking.

There is no direct financial impact to the City.  Advertising costs for the public hearing are offset by the variance application fee.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the variance and allow two off-street parking spaces for the New Hope Baptist Church, located at 824 North 19th Street, because it will not impact the neighborhood parking to a greater degree than the former chucrch building.