Despite complaints from residents that St. James Episcopal Church’s plan to build an addition would harm the appearance and privacy of their historic neighborhood, the Village Board narrowly approved the project.
Trustees granted St. James a permit to build a single-story, 2,590-square-foot addition on the northeast side of the church, at 6th and Washington Streets.
The addition will be built on the church’s adjoining 60-by-150-foot lot, where its rectory sits.
The addition, which will have a pitched gable roof and arched windows, will house two Sunday school classrooms, a toddler room, restrooms, nursery and a rector’s and administrative office.
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Two more classrooms, a choir room, storage and meeting room space will be in the basement.
Residents fear the addition will worsen traffic and decrease property values.
Homeowner Jeff Hagerman, whose back yard abuts the church land, said: “We’re not going to have any privacy. We’re going to have windows in our back yard.”
Board members approved the plans on conditions including prohibitions on more additions and its use as a day care, parochial school or halfway house.
Construction is set to begin in spring 2002.