The Spencerport Zoning Board of Appeals held a special meeting November 29 to discuss the proposed controversial renovations of St. John's Church in Spencerport. To accommodate the large crowd the meeting was held at the Spencerport Fire Hall on Lyell Avenue. The application for variances needed for construction of an addition to the masonry at the corner of Martha and Amity Streets in the village was denied. Variances requested included setback of the church from Martha Street and the percentage of lot coverage by the structure. A setback of .8 feet was asked for where the neighborhood uniformed line of setback is 27+ or - feet. A 32.2 percent lot coverage was also asked for where 25 percent is required.

According to the resolution passed by the board, denial was based on the fact that a change would be undesirable in the neighborhood and a detriment to nearby properties. The board noted that, "The proposed addition would be too close to Martha Street for safety and well-being of pedestrians."

Also, it said that the proposed addition "would create a new residential character unlike what is now found within the Village of Spencerport. The comprehensive plan for the Village of Spencerport clearly states that one of its goals is to retain the residential character of the community."

The resolution also states that the Zoning Board routinely denies area variances which would require the existing sidewalk to be moved to accommodate a proposed addition.

Martha and Amity Street residents had signed a letter expressing their concerns about the proposed addition. "St. John's is a beautiful English Gothic church," they wrote. "Why destroy this 'architectural gem' by attaching an addition that is not necessary and that was never intended?"

The letter also expressed concern for the reduction of the available green space necessary for water absorption and flood prevention. "Currently," it stated, "since the drainage is so poor when there is a heavy rain, there is so much surface water on the street, we call it Lake Martha."

The letter also pointed out that having the addition practically to the sidewalk and extremely close to the street would compound the traffic problem, which is worse when the Union Street bridge is closed and cars come "flying over the Martha Street bridge." It also noted that on school holidays, children with skateboards use the Martha Street bridge to get to Pineway Ponds Park.

The final point the letter made was that such a substantial area variance would set a "most undesirable precedent."

A Parish Council meeting is scheduled for December 17 at which time representatives may discuss project plans.