In 2007, the Haddonfield Christian Science Church bought a piece of property behind its building and knocked down a house (circa. 1930s). The property was removed from the tax base and added to the Historical District. The Christian Science Church’s unapproved plan was to build a parking lot in a residential neighborhood. Their justification is that the attendees sometimes compete with the high school for on-street parking spots.
Studies have shown that there is more than adequate parking for the fewer than 40 church members within a comfortable circumference around the church. There are currently 125 legal parking spaces within one block of the church on Sylvan Lake Avenue, Roberts Avenue and East Kings Highway. A congregant need not cross any street to walk to the church from 60 of these spaces. Programs are held at the church on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. We live in our house 24/7 and the parking lot is more than an inconvenience. There will be 22 parking spaces with 22 cars shining headlights in the adjoining houses. The parking lot will be just 25 feet away from the back of our house and will be visible from our family room, kitchen and bedrooms or just 10 feet away from our patio where we often eat meals. A dangerous precedent will be set if this parking lot is approved. What if parking is needed at other businesses/offices/churches in town? Can the owners buy adjacent property and knock down existing houses to build parking lots?
Please attend the Zoning Board meeting on Sept. 17 to let the board know that the preservation of the historical and residential areas is more important than building a private parking lot for the convenience of a few, two days a week for a couple of hours.
Karen L. Andres
