HomeMy WebLinkAboutChurch Parking MeetingAugust 13, 2020
RE: Parking Contingency/ property verification
On July 10th, 2020 Sanctuary of Praise (Church) entered into a “mutual’ agreement with the Methodist Church of Lower Kennydale the purchase the church, adjoining parsonage and empty
rear lot. The address of the property is 3005 Park Ave. N. We plan to close escrow on October 6, 2020 and want to occupy the property as early as November 1, 2020. It has come to
our attention that the City of Renton, Planning and Community Development may require a conditional use permit unless we can determine the original purpose of the building (s) was a
church before the City of Renton required use permits. Additionally the City has implied the need for parking.
Attached to this document are corporate documents detailing the legal description of the Methodist Church at 3005 Park Ave. N that verify the building was built as a church in the late
1940’s and stayed a church until this date. The Methodist Church is not currently occupying the church because of Covid-19 and the sell of the property. They are however, continuing
their lease with at least one other church that uses the building on Saturday evenings. After we purchase the building we will continue with the same usage. We do not intend to change
use of the building or the parsonage.
Since the building was built in the 1940’s we are unsure if parking was required for the building at that time. It is our contention, that the building and the parsonage should be used
as is as long as the current use is not changed. We do understand the need for parking. We understand this need probably more than anybody else since it can encumber the growth of the
church if sufficient parking is not readily available. To remedy the parking issue we request the city of Renton Planning and Community Development provide for us a temporary occupancy
permit for at least 24 months to give us time to resolve the parking issue. Please see the below alternatives that are being reviewed:
Park N Ride at the Corner of Park Ave. N and 30th Ave—We understand that this property is owned by the Methodist church and that the a lease is in place with King County for the next
90 days. We also understand that the property and adjacent properties are seeking a zoning change. We believe it is reasonable to use this parking area for at least the next several
months until the zoning is resolved and any development is determined.
Lot behind current café at 30th Ave and Park Ave. N—We have submitted a preliminary lease agreement to establish a parking area there for 30 spaces. This preliminary lease agreement
was submitted to Bell-Anderson Property Management and they are forwarding it to the Catherine Jones Trust (Washington State) for review. I do not anticipate hearing anything back on
this for several days.
Parking at Kennydale elementary and provide a shuttle service to the church-The Renton School District Board is meeting Wednesday, August 12 to determine the cost for renting facilities
and parking. I should hear back from them in the next 30 days.
Parking on the existing property at 3005 Park Ave. N- I have spoke to an engineer and submitted preliminary drawings to determine if parking is feasible on the property. We should know
more about this within the next 6 months.
Parking on the street- there is currently parking on the street now within 500 feet of church property to accommodate at lease 25 vehicles.
Special Note:
Attached to this email is a church roster with first names and last name initial. We understand the fire marshal has given 150 seating capacity for the church. However, we currently
have only 40 parishioners. With an average growth of 32% per year it will be approximately 3.5 years before we are over 120 people. The property currently has parking capability of
3 to 6 spaces and with sufficient street parking we are confident we can provide parking for our church over the next 24 months if parking is not feasible at the Park N Ride, or the
lot behind the café. With other off-site parking locations available we are also confident that we can provide shuttle service offsite if the church grows exponentially faster.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
My best,
Steve J. Malone
Pastor, Sanctuary of Praise