BLYTHEWOOD – Attorney representing Sandy Level Baptist Church Jamie Walters asked before the town’s Building Review Board (BAR) to request a Certificate of Adequacy (COA) authorizing the church to replace existing vinyl. attended for the second time. Church sanctuary building siding such as vinyl siding and replacement windows in certain styles.
The church’s sanctuary had received the town’s historic designation, and BAR had previously deferred the request as they tried to persuade Walters to restore the sanctuary to its original condition. Sanctuary.
Walters claims that if the church painted the sanctuary, it would need to be repainted about every six to seven years, which he says the church can’t afford.
Walters attended the BAR for the second time on January 17, and began his speech by stating that the minutes of the previous meeting were incorrect regarding the church’s replacement windows previously approved by the board. I was.
“[According to the minutes, the windows] What you approved was not what we asked for approval,” Walters said, believing the request to the church’s board was being misconstrued under the law. I also mentioned that 152.182 is not under section A4 of the Town Code (civil society). 152.185 2D (religious groups) does not require a simulated window and costs 10%-15% more. ”
Walters also requested that the church be allowed to use single-lap siding rather than double-lap siding, which drives up costs.
“Such changes should be moved back to BAR,” said Jim McLean, chairman of the board.
“The problem we have is that Sandy Level is 107 years old and probably one of the most historic buildings in the county. I have a duty to.”
He said the board wanted to protect the historic nature of the building.
“That takes us back to the original sanctuary and what to do until we remove the siding so that we can understand the condition of the original siding,” McLean said. I don’t know if there are.”
“We’re not going to do that in our minds,” Walters said. If we remove it, we have no choice, it’s up to you to decide what we have to do with this building in 7, 14, 21 years. It’s not financially viable to paint.”
Walters explained that the church building needed other costly repairs and could not afford to do what the board requested.
“There is no electricity in 3 more rooms and the weather on December 24th flooded another room. The parking lot is collapsing. I can’t imagine that,” said Walters.
“Vinyl is not approved,” McLean said. “I don’t think this commission will allow vinyl siding on the main sanctuary.”
“Like last year?” said Walters.
“I was under the impression that you were doing repair work,” McLean said.
“Our application was to replace vinyl,” Walters said.
“You are absolutely right,” McLean admitted. “We made a mistake…not trying to be hostile, but trying to protect the historical side of Sandy Level. We are tied.”
“I can say with confidence that the church will never vote to paint this building,” Walters said. “It’s a $300,000 difference in 30 years.”
McLean suggested the church could get grants to paint the building, but Walters said the church couldn’t commit for 30 years from today if it didn’t know where those funds were coming from. .
“Our focus is not on that building,” said Walters. “We are here to lead people to God. If you say that $500,000 invested in that building will bring people in the door and save them, sign us up. We all want to see that building painted and looking like it did years ago, but we can’t afford it.
The Board unanimously voted to postpone the meeting again to seek the advice of expert consultants regarding the actual condition of the original siding of the sanctuary.
Walters told BAR members that June 1 was the deadline for the church to complete the window project.
