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Church
architect explains addition design to the Kennebunkport Planning Board
and the public prior to approval.
The important things in life require patience,
dedication and just plain hard work. In our case, that effort has paid
off handsomely.
The Kennebunkport Planning Board met February 21st
and approved by a vote of 4-0 our application for an addition to our
church. There was one abstention. It was the final town hurdle -
clearing the way for contractor bids and final church approval.
It was a "public comments" session with only one abutter raising
concerns about the project. All questions were answered to the
satisfaction of the board by our architect Harvey Wells, our attorney
Wayne Adams, David Emery of the Building Committee and Lay Leader Tom
Bradbury. The meeting lasted slightly more than an hour. The hard work
put in over many months by our lawyer, architect and the church's
Building Committee paid off with the approval vote.
When asked by a board member if this was a new problem or had been
building for some time, Tom Bradbury (with a twinkle in his eye) put the
blame squarely on Sherwood Treadwell for creating a packed church that
required this proposal. Sherwood, who was present, smiled knowingly.
January 17, 2006
Church attorney explains the addition
design to members of the Kennebunkport Planning Board.
The Kennebunkport
Planning Board reviewed our application for a building permit. It was a
short session - 21 minutes. At end of the session, the board
voted unanimously (6-0) that the application was "complete." In
addition, Chairman Michael Weston complemented the Building Committee on
"a very thorough application...it was great."
The next hearing will be Wednesday, February 21st when public
comments are solicited.
Listen to David Emery, Building Committee Co-Chair,
on the reasons for the addition:
November 13, 2006
The Kennebunkport
Zoning Board of Appeals granted the church, by a vote of 4-1, several setback variances. With those variances, there are now no further zoning
issues with which to deal. The next step is for the church to go before
the Planning Board for the approval of a building permit. This session
will be in mid-January.
May 28, 2006
Members of the congregation ask questions of
the Building Committee during a May 28, 2006 informational forum.
The continuing Christian warmth and message of our Church, and the
extraordinary Outreach Programs of our Congregation keep bringing more
and more people to our doors. This privilege of more activity and people
has brought about additional logistical, crowding and space use
problems.
It is from these beginnings that the building addition project began.
Abbreviated
Project Chronology:
* Fall 2003-04 - Church Council established Space
Needs Study Committee.
- “Needs List” identified and
accepted by Council.
* Fall 2004 - Council
approved retention of Architectural and Legal services.
- Council
established Building Committee to study and recommend solutions.
- Proposed 2-story addition to rear of the
Church presented to and endorsed by Council.
- Informal Dialogue with Town - Building
Variance necessary and worthy of pursuit.
* Spring 2005 - 1st
Plans and Blueprints Presented to Members & Friends@ Special Church
Charge Conf.
- Charge Conference voted for Building
Committee to continue its work.
* Fall 2005 - Initial
Contractor Estimate Procured.
- Council
appointed Joint Funding Committee to identify potential funding
options.
* Winter 2006 - Project
information and Anonymous Survey card sent to Church Members
and Friends.
Identified Church Needs:
* Sunday School
:
- Rapidly
growing program needs space to accommodate new children & activities
-
Separate and enhance teaching of younger & older children
- For
development & location of teen & young adult programs as our children
grow.
* Christian Music Program:
Ever-expanding activities including adult, children’s and bell choir
rehearsals;
and garment, music, and equipment storage.
* Improved Safety and Interior
traffic flow: Resolve traffic flow problems @ Sunday Services and
other
gatherings, meetings and functions
* Larger and better spaces:
Meetings, learning, fellowship, family gatherings, fairs & special
functions.
* Enhanced safer and expanded
Kitchen facilities: To support the above mentioned items and for
Senior
Luncheons, Men’s Breakfasts, Shrove Tuesday dinners, Easter
Breakfasts, Fund Raising Dinners and
other future opportunities.
* Additional bathroom facilities:
One additional first floor bathroom, and an initial bathroom for the
Sunday School on 2nd floor.
* Better Church Office location:
For counseling, church business, and improved access and storage.
Additional Recognized Benefits
* Mechanical Systems Modernization
- Improve heating system for 20-40% projected fuel savings.
* Proper Custodial Storage Spaces
-Badly needed and now far from adequate.
* Future Elevator -
Better Code approved disabled and group access to 2nd Floor
* Easier and Safer Access and
Egress - throughout church halls, doors and building to meet modern
codes.
* Ability to Respond to Present and
Future Development Opportunities - Young adults,
multipurpose
meetings and outreach
opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions about our Building
Addition Project…….
Is this project a “done deal”?
NO – Final approval must come from you, the church
members, at a Special Charge Conference vote.
Will the Sanctuary be changed?
NO – The Sanctuary will remain exactly the same as
it is now.
Will the Cargo Shop space change?
NO – The Cargo Shop will have both their upstairs
and downstairs space.
Why can’t we remodel the present building – or
build a smaller addition?
After consultation with our architect, who is one of the best in his
field, it has become apparent that the only solution to our space
problems is to add on to the rear on the left-hand side of the building
as well as doing some interior remodeling within the current footprint
of the church. This will give adequate space and safe access/egress to
all sections of the building.
Why do we need a two-story addition?
It is cheaper per square foot to put on a 2nd floor as
opposed to trying to increase the first floor footprint. The second
floor will give us space for our rapidly growing Sunday School as well
as a bathroom and storage space and an additional meeting room.
Why do we need a new fellowship hall and
kitchen?
To accommodate our social events in safety and comfort. For the
growth of our church family’s breakfasts (Easter, Men’s Club, September
brunch), Senior luncheons and others, suppers such as Shrove Tuesday,
Spaghetti suppers, etc. as well as funeral and wedding receptions,
celebratory collations, and public collations following concerts, etc.
Also to enable us to expand our Church Fairs,
Rummage Sales, and also use the hall for youth events, additional
meeting space and additional Sunday School space.
Why do we need to relocate the offices?
For easier access, privacy, counseling, and telephone
confidentiality as well as storage needs.
What will this addition do for our Christian
Education Program?
This will give us room to separate the age-level classes. We will
have room for an adult Sunday School class on Sunday mornings. We will
have function rooms for our teens to hold events. Vacation Bible School
will be enhanced when held at our church. We can plan for the growth of
our Christian Education program and our increased attendance at Sunday
School. Our adult Bible Study classes will have appropriate space.
We will have an upstairs bathroom as well as a new
and safer stairway.
Why do we need more space for our Christian
music program?
We need space to lock up valuable equipment such as our chimes and
tables. We need space for both Junior and Senior Choir Robes. We need
music storage space. We need rehearsal space. Right now these things
are stored everywhere there is room, upstairs and downstairs in various
rooms. Our music program is a vital part of our church and the
dedicated people involved deserve and need a space to call their own.
What are some of the other reasons for a
building addition?
1.
New up-dated electrical wiring, plumbing and efficient heating
units.
2.
Additional bathroom downstairs plus a new one upstairs.
3.
Modern kitchen facilities as well as a dishwasher.
4.
Storage for our custodian as well as appropriate sink and drain
for cleaning.
5.
Storage for Women’s groups; Fair items; Christmas decorations.
6.
Storage for Fellowship Committee items.
7.
Storage for handicapped equipment.
8.
Storage for records and history.
9.
New communication display areas and bulletin boards.
During the month of May you will be hearing more
about “Why we need a building addition” during our worship services. If
you have any questions you would like answered please leave them in the
church office and we will do our best to answer them.
Ellen Doubleday, Church Council
Alice Bruton, Finance Committee
Bob McLaughlin, Trustees
David Emery, Building Committee
These
are indeed exciting times at the Church on the Cape. Please be sure
to contact us with any ideas, questions or concerns as we together
explore our Church’s future opportunities.
YOUR FEEDBACK IS CRUCIAL AND MUCH APPRECIATED. PLEASE DON’T WAIT!
For questions or comments please contact: Ellen Doubleday @
207-967-4486, or email
davidd@adelphia.net.
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