Town Hall Meetings

FUMCC MASTER PLAN AND PHASE I ADDITIONAL PARKING

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers Compiled by the Building Committee
As of 10/22/07

Q1: What is the history of the Long Range Planning Committee?
A: The Current Long Range Planning Committee was created in 2000.  It was formed for the purpose of looking at the long-term needs of the church.  The committee began by concentrating their time and energy on the Context 2000 Survey.  The Long Range Planning Committee completed their evaluation in September 2003 when it presented the “Preliminary Concept for the Utilization of the South Campus to the Administrative Board.  The Long Range Committee was charged with the further task of selecting an Architectural firm to prepare a Land Use Master Plan.  On April 3rd, 2005, The Conceptual Master Plan was presented to the Ad Board for approval.  The concept was approved.  The Long Range Committee members at that time consist of: Skip Dyer, Al Mooney, Brad Dixon, Bob Warner, Charlie Mann, David Hedberg, Deven Spear, Dick Ladd, Guy Mbemba, Jeanette Bell, Ralph Ashworth, Woody Wells/Rodney Hamm, Rick Kibler, Sam Weather and Susan Barrier

Q2.  Who authorized it?
A. The 2005 Administrative (AD Board) as well as a Charge Conference on May 22, 2005

Q3. Who reviewed/approved it?
A. The Church body

Q4. Were there any conditions attached to the approval? 
A. No

Q5. When/how was the plan communicated to the congregation?
A. The plan was presented to the Church at a Charge Conference in May 2005.  A letter went out to Church members informing the congregation of the Master Plan as well as the Church Conference in April of 2005.

Q6. Does a vote for the parking lot constitute approval/ratification of the long-range plan?
A. No, only Phase 1.  Future phases will need to be assessed as needed.

Q7.  What was the justification to purchase the land in the first place?
A.  Over twenty-five years ago when the congregation voted to remain in downtown Cary as opposed to moving out to a different site, it voted to secure any land adjoining the campus whenever it became available.  This is why we bought both houses on two sides of Waldo Street as they became available.  As a result of those purchases, we were able to build the Templeton Building and expand our Education facilities in 1995.  Because of the far sightedness of those who were on our membership rolls at that time we also now own the 29 total parking spaces at the corner of Waldo and Walker

Q8.  Why do we have to re-zone the property it’s already a parking lot?
A.  The property was never zoned for parking.  The gravel lot just kind of happened with no Town approval.  Also, the Town has a Town Center Review Commission in place that has been reviewing projects in the Town Center since 2003.  Any changes to property in the Town Center are now subject to review.  The projects in this area are also required to appear before the Town Council for approval.

Q9.  What amount or percentage of the cost to construct the parking lot supports/lowers the cost of the future building(s) if they are constructed?
A.  The clearing costs, most of the grading costs, about 80% of the storm drainage costs, just over half of the paving & curb & gutter costs, and half of the landscaping and retaining wall costs would be recovered as we move into Phase 2 of the building phase. This means that approximately $325,000 of the current estimate would be recovered in the next phase of building.

Q10. What amount of the current cost of the parking lot are we incurring for the preparation of the future expansion?
A. None

Q11. How many spaces would be lost if we develop phase 2 and 3?
A.  We are proposing 194 spaces. When and if we move forward with future phases as planned we could reduce the available parking by 50 spaces.

Q12. Was the land purchase specifically to support the long-range plan?  If not, why was the land purchased? 
A. No, the Rood property was purchased before this existing Long Range Plan was developed.  The land was purchased to provide space for future expansion.

Q13.  Should we do “parking lot lite” in other words, enhance the current parking lot but not to the point it would require rezoning – what is the cost? 
A.  Any work performed in the Town Center District area will require rezoning.  The Town currently zones the land use as “Special Use”.  As far as a lower cost alternative, there are not many.  We do not think the Town would approve a gravel lot. 

Q14.  Why does it take $700,000 for a parking lot?  Isn’t there a lower cost alternative?
A.  We are spending funds to clear, grade, install storm water management facilities, install retaining walls, lighting, sidewalks, and landscaping.  Reducing the size of the lot would reduce some costs. 

Q15.  If we don’t build the parking lot are we going to sell the land?  How much could we realize on a sale? 
A.  There are no plans to sell the property at this point.  Land values vary in the area.  It is worth more today than when it was purchased.

Q16.  What is the history of the building committee/ when did it come into being?  How? Who appointed them?  What is there purpose/function/goal?
A.  The Building Committee was formed/elected at a Charge Conference in May of 2005.  The function/goal of the committee is to implement phase 1 of the Long Range Plan.

Q17.  What was the outcome of the last church conference?  What was approved?  What were the outstanding issues from the church conference and what is the respective status?
A.  On November 5, 2006, the Church Conference approved “the preliminary architectural rendering of the parking lot and preliminary financial plan to raise funds through a capital campaign in spring of 2007.”  The status: phase 1 is working through the approval process at the Town of Cary.

Q18.  The town is planning a parking garage already.  Do we need one? 
A.  The Town is planning a parking garage.  However, there are no approved plans at this point.  It may be many years before anything happens, and the proposed locations of these garages are not in close proximity to our location.

Q19. How can FUMC improve in the area of Worship?
A. Do something about the parking situation—sometimes it makes coming to church stressful to find nowhere to park.

Q20. What single thing poses the greatest risk of FUMC’s future? (From 2006 Congregational Survey)
A. Limiting growth by not having adequate facilities, parking… room for all

Q21. What single thing poses the greatest opportunity for FUMC’s future? (From 2006 Congregational Survey)
A. Moving forward with the parking lot:

Q22.  What is the plan to pay for the parking lot?
A.  Fundraising is the option most favored by the Building Committee and Finance.
 
Q23.  What happens if construction of the parking lot is approved, but we fail to raise the necessary funds to pay for it?
A.  Construction of the parking lot will not start until all funds are raised.

Q24. Why not ask the able bodied to park further away on Sunday?
A. It is our understanding that most church members do at this point. This doesn't address the other parking needs such as visitor parking, handicap parking and other necessary improvements.
 
Q25. Why are you making a parking lot?
A. It was determined through the Context 2000 Survey that the majority of the Church saw parking as an issue.  The Long Range Planning Committee evaluated the parking issue and confirmed the need.  The 2006 Congregational Survey again confirmed the need.
 
Q26. Where is the Church going to be in the picture you put out?  
A. The church is located on top of the illustration, on the other side of Waldo Street.

Q27. Are you going to knock down any trees?
It is necessary to clear the land for the necessary grading and building of storm water systems, entrances and curbing.  Every effort will be made to save as many trees as possible.  The plan calls for planting of replacement trees and shrubbery to enhance the beauty of the area.

Q28. Why are you doing this?
A. To make our Church more visitor friendly, make parking convenient and lay the foundation for future growth.