New Westminster city council will decide whether to give its blessing to a proposed rezoning after an upcoming public hearing.
The Calvary Worship Centre has applied to rezone 260 12th St. so it can build a new 3,051.9 metre (32,850 square foot) worship centre. In addition to the sanctuary that would provide space for up to 850 people on the main floor and 300 people in the balcony, the building would also contain a 396.9 square metre (4,270 square foot) community hall/gymnasium, an entrance foyer, a coffee shop, offices and a children's worship area that could accommodate up to 195 seats and some small meeting rooms and classrooms.
In order for the project to proceed, it requires a rezoning, as well as variances for front yard, side yard, site coverage and parking. The bylaw requires 105 parking spaces but the applicant is proposing 96 spots.
Coun. Betty McIntosh expressed concern that the project wouldn't have enough parking to accommodate upwards of 1,150 people who could be in the building at one time.
"We've got less than 100 parking spots," she said. "I believe we are designing a disaster."
Jim Hurst, a development planner with the city, said the peak hours of the church (Sunday mornings) aren't the same as the peak hours of other businesses in the area, so off-street parking would also be available.
"I know most churches in New Westminster have a parking issue," McIntosh said. "It's not uncommon for churches to be built with not enough parking."
Coun. Jaimie McEvoy shared McIntosh's concern, as the congregation isn't just attended by local residents.
Architect Roger Amenyogbe told council that about 700 people regularly attend the church's Sunday service and parking hasn't been an issue. In addition to carpooling and vanpooling measures included in a transportation management plan, he noted a shuttle also transports people to the church from the SkyTrain station.
Amenyogbe said the church has an extremely multicultural congregation, as people from 60 to 70 countries attend. He said the peak times for the church would be at Christmas and Easter.
A public hearing about the rezoning application will be held in council chamber on Monday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m.
