Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Trinity Episcopal rector and neighbors urge rework of Van Cleef park plan to protect historic district
Summary
Father Brad Benson and other residents told the board they oppose plans that would add a large parking lot and pool in a historic neighborhood, noting the church owns a small parking lot that the town does not own and asking the board not to unduly alter the area's character.
Father Brad Benson, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, spoke on behalf of his congregation in opposition to the current Van Cleef park proposal, saying it would place a large parking lot and a swimming pool in the middle of a historic district and would irreparably damage the neighborhood’s character. Benson emphasized the church’s long history in the area and said the town’s plan would, in part, subsume the church’s parking lot even though the church owns that property and has no intention of selling it.
“I’m here tonight representing my congregation, which gave me permission to speak against the park proposal,” Benson said, urging the board to reconsider designs that would locate a pool or major parking in the visual backdrop of historic buildings. Residents who live adjacent to the proposed project also urged the board to pursue broader engagement with business and neighborhood leaders and to consider alternatives such as already-used parkland or other town-owned parcels rather than adding more downtown parking.
The board discussed alternatives and the need for further public engagement; no final site decision was recorded at the meeting.
