Church gym, parking lot up for consideration

A gym at McCook Christian Church and a new parking lot at Parker Hannifin will be up for consideration by the McCook Board of Zoning Adjustment and McCook Planning Commission respectively, on Monday, June 23.

The Board of Zoning will conduct a public hearing at 5:30 p.m., in City Council Chambers for testimony concerning a variance sought by McCook Christian, Church, 507 West B, for a gym it wants to build on the east side of the church, facing West Fourth.

The church is asking for a variance in the set back requirement from 10 feet to zero feet for a portion of the proposed gym.

City Engineer Greg Wolford and members of city staff have reviewed the site, according to the City Manager's report, and found the proposed gym to have no potential safety issues. The building will not be receiving special treatment as other buildings on the block also have zero line setbacks as well and conforms to the design of the neighborhood, the report said.

Adjacent property owners Kent Kilpatrick and Pietro Giorgione have signed certified letters that said they do not object to the granting of the variance.

According to church officials in a letter sent to city staff about the request, there is no where else to construct the gym. High voltage power lines and inadequate space on the property prevent the church from constructing the gym anywhere but on the east side.

The 125-foot long building will be used for youth programs, Vacation Bible School, after-school programs and other activities.

City staff has recommended approval of the variance.

After the Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting, the McCook Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. for a public hearing and to consider the special exception sought by the rubber hose manufacturer Parker Hannifin, located at 400 South Street. Parker Hannifin plans to purchase five vacant lots from a private seller across the street from the plant, pending approval of the special exception.

The area is zoned residential medium density mobile home. City ordinance allows vehicle parking as a specified use if a special exception is granted.

Parker Hannifin has several employee parking lots at its building, but one of the lots is on the north side of the building, where ice is a major problem in winter, according to Parker Hannifin in its special exception application.

Attempts to melt the ice with ice melt hasn't worked as there is a slight slope to the ground that cause new puddles that eventually refreeze. Purchasing the proposed property and developing it into a parking lot would allow Parking Hannifin to expand employee parking by 74 spots. The north lot would then be closed off and some of the parking in front of the building would be removed and changed into a "green space," with grass and landscaping.

Parker Hannifin is located in an area that is a mixture of industrial and small commercial business, residential and park uses.

City staff has recommended approval of the special exception.