Calvary church additions debated

(7/29) At its July 26 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission made no decision regarding church building additions. The Calvary Assembly of God presented its plan for two new additions to the building to allow more room to move within the building as well as new covered walkways. The commission refused to vote on the matter citing errors and missing information in the plan as well as unresolved traffic issues on Route 194 after 90 minutes of debate.

The presented site plan showed discrepancies in the number of parking spaces but also showed access aisles that were not wide enough to meet code after moving the handicapped spaces. Church representative Jose Hernandez explained that there are handicapped spaces not noted in the plan, which Chairman David Ennis said needed to be included in the notes. Hernandez also explained that they can repaint the handicapped spaces if the access aisles are not up to code.

There were also spelling errors within the plan to make it difficult for commissioners to read and understand as well as a misrepresentation of the number of pages in the plan.

The Commission’s main concern, however, are the traffic issues brought by those entering and exiting the church. According to Commission Member Russ Winch, the issue has been previously discussed with the Town recommending an access road connecting the church with Stauffer Court. "We’ve always said we are reluctant to approve new site plans until something was done," he said, referring to the traffic on 194. Most of his fellow Commission members echoed his reluctance throughout the remainder of the discussion.

Board of Deacons Member Charlie Smith said the delay comes from legal issues obtaining permission to build the access road, which cuts through a privately owned farm. He then questioned the Town’s ability to force the Church to build an access road, which could cost thousands or millions of dollars. Smith went on to explain that the Church has considered medians and turn lanes to fix the traffic issues with no fixed solution.

Smith argued that it all comes down to value, though he agreed with the commissioners that one cannot put value on a human life. He went on to ask, with a laugh, if the Town of Walkersville could contribute funds to help solve the traffic issue.

Currently, Calvary has hired a state trooper to control traffic before and after services on Sunday, which causes a bigger back up according to Vice Chairman Mike Kuster. Commissioner Dick Brady suggested that Calvary look into different traffic patterns such as "right in, right out" to cut down on congestion all the time. According to Dick Brady, however, Sunday mornings are the slow period for the Calvary parking lot due to events at the Church during the week.