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Page 2 of2 parking spaces. The Roseville Code requires one space per 3.5 seats (1 :3.5). Currently the church provides a ratio of 1 :3.1. The addition of 56 spaces to the east of the south lot would result i~ a tobl of 332 parking spaces. THE REASONS BEHIND THE PROPOSED VARIANCE When the proposed expansion was presented at a recent congregational meeting there was general agreement about the timliness of installing the balcony seating. There were a number of members who expressed concern about the prospect of taking additional open space for parking. After considerable discussion the congregation voted to review this matter with the City of Roseville and the neighborhood and to explore some strategies that might delay, or avoid the need to pave over additional open space. An Adult Forum was held at 9:30 and 11 :00 a.m. yesterday to review these ideas with the congregation and a neighborhood meeting has been scheduled for Monday, April 24 at Roseville Lutheran's Social Hall to review it with the surrounding neighbors. Churches are wonderful candidates for shared parking arrangements when they are located near office buildings, or other businesses that do not need their parking on Sundays. Unfortunately, no such opportunity is available to RLC. We have utilized some shuttle vans from commercial properties along Lexington Avenue on major religous holidays. The question for the City and the neighborhood is simply this - will you work with us to see if we can accommodate our growth without having to pave this open space? We would like to approach this matter as a congregation with a number of strategies. First, simply by raising awareness we believe that some of several families that come to church in two or more cars will ride together. We also want to promote ride sharing with our senior members and the church will explore ways to facilitate this effort. We will also identify members who are willing to park on the street away from the church and walk a block or two. We will direct employee parking onto the driveway of the adjacent home owned by the church and operated as a day care facility. We will explore ways to encourage bike riding and walking for those members who live close enough. We are also anxious to hear what ideas the City and neighbors may have. In closing, it is important to note that there are a number of church leaders who believe that Roseville Lutheran Church needs this parking and it should be built. The church acquired the adjacent land at considerable cost and they feel we may simply be delaying the inevitable. We must respect this viewpoint, but, the majority voted to give this approach a try. It is important that the record reflect the fact that Roseville Lutheran Church owns the adjacent land and has the right to build the 56 spaces on this land if this alternative approach does not work. With all of this background in mind we respectfully request you support for our application for a parking variance to allow 300 balcony seats to be added to the Roseville Lutheran Church worship center without adding parking sp2ces. We will be present at the i "'Inning ~ommission and City Council meetings to discuss this request with you and we thank you in advanCE:: for your consideration. 0411112000