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pertaining to actual attendance which showed they would have more then enough onsite parlcing <br />at 238 parking spaces. Granting the variance will not inconvenience the parishioners or the <br />coinmunity nor will it adversely iinpact the strrounding neighborhood. <br />Ms. Wenger reviewed the housing project which was approved by the Planning and Design <br />Commission contingent upon the church parking variance being granted. Total parlcing spaces <br />after the redevelopment is 238 spaces. City code requires places of worship 1 parlcing space per <br />2.5 seats in the assembly rooin. In researching 1999 records it appears the Building official <br />calculated required parking using the occupancy permit which showed a maximum of 984 bodies <br />not seats. When the church addition was approved an area was designated landbanked and to <br />date has remained undeveloped. Now that the landbanked area will be part of the senior housing <br />parcel it can no longer be used as a landbanlced area for the church. There will only be 64 actual <br />existing parlcing spaces lost. In researching appropriate parking standards for church use, she <br />referenced a book by the American Plaru-iing Association, which provided a survey of standards <br />for parking used in communities across the country. The standards for churches range from 1 <br />space per 3 seats to 1 space per 10 seats, with the most common standard being 1 space per 4-5 <br />seats and St. Richard is proposing 1 space per 4.13 persons of occupancy. She also researched <br />surrounding cominunities and found all westshore communities to be less restrictive than North <br />Olmsted. As the city has moved forward they have looked for ways to be smarter with compact <br />development and loolc for ways to eliininate large area of unused pavement. In 2004 the 'city <br />amended its parking code to reduce required parlcing for major commercial developments. As a <br />result the mall, which also received a variance, toolc advantage of the reduction and has increased <br />the amount of buildable area and green space tluoughout the site. The unique nature of St <br />Richards and the accessibility of off site parlcing options suggest granting the variance would <br />uphold the intent of the Zoning Code. <br />Ms. Bellido said she has driven by St Richards many times and has never seen the parlcing lot <br />fiill during services. However the neighboring office building and banlc lots were full therefore <br />she does not believe the reduction in parlcing will adversely impact the church. Ms. Diver voiced <br />concern that firture attendance could be affected by the loss of the parking spaces. Mr. Lopez <br />said in viewing the site it is clear the parlcing lot is not fully utilized and reducing pavement to <br />increase green space is an improvement. Mr. Raig said the city code is more restrictive than <br />surroLnding communities. To reduce parlcing which isn't being utilized for green space is an <br />improvement which will benefit the applicants and neighboring sites. The city has a need for <br />senior housing which is contingent upon the church being granted their variance. He <br />commended the church for being willing to provide the senior housing needed. <br />Ms. Bellido moved, seconded by Mr. Lopez, to grant CMS12-18: St. Richard Church of 26855 <br />Lorain Road a variance for 156 parlcing spaces, code requires 394 based on permitted <br />occupancy, applicant shows 238, section 1161.05 which passed 5-0. <br />CMS12-17: I3urger King; 26270 Lorain Road <br />Proposal consists of exterior building renovations and site improvements. <br />A special perinit is required to add to a non-conforming building, section 1165.02. <br />The following variances are required: