Friends, Not sure if this got lost in the spool. Sorry if it's a re-send. Again, please feel free to be in touch if you have any questions. BruceR --- Bruce Robison <bmrobison@alum.calberkeley.org> wrote:

Dear Highland Park Friends and Neighbors,

Several folks have seen the orange zoning notice posted at St. Andrew's and understandably asked for a bit more information.

As St. Andrew's has reached this year the 100th anniversary of our life here in Highland Park, we are undertaking a number of repairs and renovations to enhance our buildings and grounds for our congregation and for the neighborhood, with a special emphasis on providing more accessibility and more appropriate flexible use of available space. No "new" building is contemplated, however. [One person wondered if we were planning to build townhouses on the property! The answer: no.]

One project in these renovations addresses the part of our facility that is "the Old Rectory," on the St. Clair Street side of the St. Andrew's building complex. The project, all interior, include upgrades of fire/safety, etc., addition of a wheelchair accessible restroom, and accomodation to allow us to develop a first floor office and Sunday School classroom/meeting room into that space.

Because the church is a "grandfathered" non-conforming building in the R-2 zone, and because the Old Rectory portion of our building, which included office space in 1906 and for many years thereafter, was designated a residential site on the zoning map, the permit to do that work can't be issued without a Zoning Board hearing, which is what the orange signs announce.

Again, there will be no change to the externals of our facility, nor will the changes be "adding" traffic to the overall facility. The Music Director and Sunday School Director, however, will have their own cubicles now, we'll be able to add a Sunday morning 4th/5th grade "Godly Play" classroom, and I will be able to have a more accessible place to meet with members of the parish and community.

Any further questions, let me know, by e-mail or phone (412 661-1245). Highland Parker Mike Eversmeyer is our architect and project manager, and he also will be glad to answer any questions. His business e-mail is <m.eversmeyer@verizon.net>.

Bruce Robison