Official rules against church’s parking lot

EVERETT – A north Everett church should not be allowed to build a parking lot in a residential neighborhood, a hearing examiner has ruled.

Bethany Christian Assembly failed to prove that replacing an old apartment building on Baker Avenue with a 24-space parking lot is necessary, James Driscoll, an Everett hearing examiner, said in a ruling issued Tuesday.

The church’s plans for the Riverside neighborhood are vague and “additional parking for undefined future projects, that might or might not be developed, cannot be the basis for the issuance of a special property use permit,” he said.

Bethany leaders haven’t decided whether they will appeal the decision, church representative Bruce French said.

Bob Creamer, chairman of the Riverside Neighborhood Association, which rallied to block the parking lot, said he expects to have to fight an appeal.

Neighbors of the large Pentecostal church at 2715 Everett Ave. have argued that a parking lot would clash with the surrounding neighborhood.

They also say it could just be the beginning of a larger expansion of Bethany’s footprint into a residential neighborhood.

The church and Assemblies of God, its parent organization, have bought three houses on Baker Avenue.

Church officials have said they intend to eventually demolish the houses to make way for a new youth center. But they have shared few specifics with neighbors and city officials.

“It’s been a very vague, very undefined plan,” said Creamer. “No details, no nothing.”

Signs protesting the parking lot were displayed in several front yards for months, and a few people were so upset they picketed Sunday services last summer.

Some also protested the demolition of the apartment building, saying it was the home of Everett School District’s first superintendent, and is therefore historically significant.

Following a groundswell of opposition in July, the city’s planning department abruptly withdrew a recommendation to approve the parking lot.

In its final report, the planning department said the church currently has sufficient parking for the approximate 660 people who attend two weekly Sunday services.

A traffic consultant hired by the church said that doesn’t address future parking needs.

Church leaders also say more spaces are needed to expand its ministry, citing studies that suggest full parking lots can deter prospective members from attending.

Bethany was under fire in September from Riverside residents who objected to the church’s plans to feed the homeless at a former church that it took control of at 2208 Baker Ave.

The church agreed to hold off on plans for a soup kitchen after questions from neighbors, Everett police and city administrators.

Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.