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Hiawatha Church appeal forwarded to full council after neighbors and congregation testify
Summary
After a quasi-judicial public hearing, the Supercommittee voted to forward the variance appeal from Hiawatha Church (4155 41st Ave S) to the full Council without recommendation so members can review public testimony and recommended conditions (rain garden mitigation).
A quasi-judicial appeal by Hiawatha Church seeking variances that would increase lot coverage and impervious surface to accommodate an elevator, ramp and accessible restrooms drew a divided public record and was forwarded to the full City Council without recommendation.
City planner Myles Campbell said the project would expand the church footprint to create an elevator and accessible entry; staff recommended a condition requiring on-site green stormwater mitigation (a rain garden) if approved but found the application did not clearly meet the "unique circumstances" standard for a variance. Neighbors said the addition would overshadow gardens and increase impervious cover; congregants and church leadership said internal reconfiguration without an addition would render the building unusable for their size and that the addition had been reduced to minimize impacts.
After testimony from the applicant and several neighbors and supporters, the committee voted to forward the appeal to the full Council without recommendation (12-0 on the procedural motion), and asked staff to clarify a potential condition requiring a rain garden and stormwater mitigation. No final approval was taken in committee.
