Community of Christ Church Plans to Expand

A proposal to demolish and expand the Community of Christ Church near Larkey Park is in the works.

The project includes building a 5,684-square-foot sanctuary and congregation center. The plan also calls for a 28-space parking lot and changes in landscaping to the current site.

The church is presently 3,915 square feet.

The plan received mostly positive comments in a study session held by the Design Review Commission last week.

Pastor Gail Ronneberg described her congregation as a “small family-like community“ of 20 to 25 parishioners.

She said the motivation for the building was concern over the safety of the current structure. The plan includes other upgrades such as a larger multi-use facility, multiple classrooms and additional storage space.

The pastor said that there are no plans to make changes to the park-like setting behind the church because “it creates a sense of beauty and is peaceful.”

The biggest issue the commissioners dealt with was the  28 parking spaces that will be in front of the building. There is a parking lot in front of the church now, but it is blocked when looking from Second Avenue.

The new design includes a front entryway that will contain a garden with benches. Trees also will be added to either side of the perimeter of the walkway.

Due to the openness of the plan, the parking lot may be more visible from the street.

Assistant City Planner Sam Knutson said the purpose of the landscaped entrance is to “provide an attractive path of access from the street while diminishing the visibility of the church parking lot.”

In regard to the parking lot, Commissioner Mike Fotheringham said to the project’s applicant, Richard Bartlett, that instead of using asphalt, he should “consider another material.” Fotheringham said doing so would enhance the experience of the members of the congregation when entering the church.

Chairwoman Dorothy McDonald said there was a “consensus regarding the building and site materials of the proposed project.“ However, she also suggested that Bartlett take another look at improving the parking area.

The plan now goes to the Planning Commission.