Belvidere votes on St. James church expansion plans

The following is taken from:  http://www.belvideredailyrepublican.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6945:belvidere-votes-on-st-james-church-expansion-plans&catid=106:belvidere&Itemid=508

Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton actually prayed that the matter of the Belvidere City Council’s vote would “heal fractured relationships,” literally – in his opening prayer to start last Tuesday’s meeting. Not soon after his opening remarks were made, the issue was removed from the table where it remained tabled most of the summer, and by a motion to pass from Alderman George Crawford, seconded by Michael Chamberlain, the subject was open to debate again.

The city is involved in the plans because in order to proceed, the proposal needs a zoning change and a planned development approval. The council opened the floor to comment on the two issues. The first ordinance involves a request to change the zoning to reflect the current use. The buildings the church own aren’t zoned Institutional, which is their current and established use, but the zoning didn’t reflect that.

Both ordinances involved properties at 554 S. Main Street, 311 Church Street, 514 and 525 Caswell Street, and 320 Logan Avenue.

The second is a planned development request to allow a new, larger church to be constructed near the location of the current church, which was constructed in 1886, and to demolish the existing church and turn it into a parking lot.

Brereton asked the council if they had questions first, before opening the subject up to the more 20 citizens who had signed in to give testimony on the matter.

The questions from the aldermen concerned clarifying how many votes would needed to pass the two ordinances. Brereton replied that because of the challenges to the issues, the vote would require a super-majority, or seven members, in order to pass.

Alderman Mark Sanderson wanted more information on the possibility of an alderman abstaining from a vote. Reportedly, Alderman Dan Snow, also a parish member, has said he will abstain from voting on the manner.

Though Mayor Brereton asked those giving public input to limit their comments to the two ordinances at hand, that suggestion proved to be the exception rather than the rule, as person after person took the podium to urge the council to vote way or another, with voices often raised and full of emotion.

Crowds of people filled council chambers, many of them supporters of the plan who walked in a march from St. James to City Hall.

Many residents were opposed to the demolition of the old church, which, with its 350 seat capacity, is reportedly no longer big enough to serve the estimated 2200 parishioners who attend weekly mass. Because of the age of the church and its condition, Bishop Doran is giving priority for St. James to build a new 850-seat facility, which is estimated to cost $5.5 million.

Those in support of the new downtown building pointed to the vibrancy the parish would continue to bring to the city’s older residential neighborhood, the stunning centerpiece the architecture would bring the downtown, and the fact that Fr. Brian Geary supports it, among others.

Those opposed to the plan say the large structure is too big for the space, calling it a monolithic building on a postage stamp sized lot that would threaten safety, and increase traffic and parking problems. Many of those against the plans believe tearing down the 125-year old building would be a bad idea. Of these, many support building a new church, but not downtown, rather moving it to a 22 acre parcel on Squaw Prairie Road.

Fr. Geary spoke after over nearly 90 minutes of testimony. In brief remarks, Fr. Geary thanked the council for their patience and understanding and said simply, “We followed the process. You need to honor that.”

The first vote was to allow the requested zoning change. This voted passed with a vote of 8 -1. Aldermen Robert Bowley, Ronald Brooks, Michael Chamberlain, George Crawford, Clint, Morris, John Sanders, Mark Sanderson and Clay Stevens. Alderwoman Karen Schrader voted against.

The second vote was to allow approval of the church’s expansion plans. Before the vote, Alderman Clint Morris said this was “the most contentious discussion I’ve ever heard,” on a city council matter.

“I have tried to be as objective as I can and will base my decision on the facts,” Morris said. “I hope people will look at the decision, and walk out of here less contentious and look at how to make this all work.”

Alderman Michael Chamberlain read a letter he wrote to the council explaining his process in trying to understand the parishioner’s concerns while at the same time upholding his municipal duty to review the facts and make the tough vote.

Those in favor of the second ordinance were 6-3, with one abstention. Robert Bowley, Ronald Brooks, Michael Chamberlain, George Crawford, Clint Morris, and John Sanders voted in favor while those opposed were Mark Sanderson, Clay Stevens and Karen Schrader.

Mayor Brereton announced the tally of six in favor, and declared the motion’s passage.