Bridge church closer to approval in Prospect Hts.
Bridge Community Church of Des Plaines is one step closer to building another location in Prospect Heights, though some city residents still have many concerns about the plan.
Bridge Randhurst, would be built on the site of the former Prospect Christian Church, 302 E. Euclid Ave., which merged with The Bridge Community Church last year.
The plans - which include tearing down the nearly 60-year-old church on that property and building a larger one with more parking - were discussed at the Prospect Heights City Council meeting last week. Officials said it will likely be formally passed from the consent agenda of the council's next meeting.
City officials said the church has revised its landscaping plan to add more pine trees all the way along the property's northern border, include timers on the parking lot lights and reinforce its water retention to alleviate neighbor concerns.
But area residents are still speaking up against the plan.
"As surrounding residents of the proposed church, we strongly believe this development will negatively effect our community," said Dave Ludwin, who read a letter on behalf of several of his neighbors at a recent city council meeting.
Ludwin said the size and design of the church does not fit in with their neighborhood.
"We don't object to the use of this property as a church, as it has been one for many years. We do object to a church three times the size of the existing church on this small property," he said. "The church as it is currently designed will negatively impact the use, enjoyment and property values of our community."
The Bridge Community Church has 1,000 members, about 200 to 300 of which are expected to move over to the new Prospect Heights location, said lead pastor the Rev. Scott Ziegler.
Resident June Wolf said she lives next to a creek that she fears will flood during heavy rains or snow melts because of the increased pavement from the church's new parking lot.
"There has been a church there yes, but nothing in this size. This is like Disney World," she said. "I do not need water in my basement."
Several residents said they are also concerned about parking overflow, but church officials said they will put up signs asking parishioners not to park on neighborhood streets.
"It's fine to put up signs, but I think it may be very difficult to enforce actually keeping people from parking in our neighborhood," said resident Wendy Dewar.
City Director of Building and Development Dan Peterson said the church is meeting or exceeding the city's criteria on parking spaces and flood control.
Alderman Patrick Ludvigsen said he understands the concerns of the residents, but couldn't justify voting against the church.
"If there was a phase two to expand the church further, I would not be in favor of that. If this was a house or a business that was going to be torn down to put up a church, that would be different," he said. "But, I have a hard time telling an existing church that they can't do what they're allowed to do by our code. These people have done everything we've asked them to do."
Ziegler said the church hopes to open Bridge Randhurt by Easter weekend 2017.