Building the Family of St. Eleanor

 

Summary of Building Committee Actions

 

1)     Since there was no active Parish Council at the time, it was determined by Fr. Richard Catanach and a formed committee in 1992 that due to growth a larger church is needed.  At that time the adjacent property was ‘for sale’.  This was Phase I of the project.

 

2)     Phase II was the purchase and renovation of the property at our present church site.  The old church was turned into our present hall.

 

3)     The present Building Committee was established in April 2000.  Thus began Phase III.  Debt paid off. Guidelines by US Council of Catholic Bishops are set up for any building or renovation.  Approval from the Diocese was needed to proceed.

 

4)     First choice of everyone on the Building Committee and most parishioners was current location.

 

5)     Due to growth analysis reports, Diocese recommended 1500 seat church to be built on 10 acres of land. Lack of priests needed to accommodate our Diocese was also considered.  Our current property consists of 2.83 acres.

 

6)     After negotiations due to affordability, the Diocese agreed to a 750 seat church.

 

7)     Fund Raising was begun.

 

8)     The Diocese authorized sale of Airport Road Property and Camelot lots to trade or buy other property closer than the Airport Road to where majority of parishioners live.

 

9)     Building Committee found that in order to build on the present property and honestly meet Diocesan guidelines and city codes for the church, hall, offices, and classrooms we would need a multi-level parking garage or purchase additional land adjacent to present property.

 

10) An architect was selected from a group and contracted to produce a plan for a new church.  The Diocese requires that we have a architect

 

11) There was an informal meeting with City officials in which they stated:

a)     252 parking spaces required – 1 space per every 4 seats – 177 (church), 60 (hall) 15 (offices & classrooms) plus handicapped

b)     A drainage plan would have to be developed (normally includes drainage ponds).

c)      A detailed site plan would be needed to apply for a variance.

d)     A variance has never been given for this many parking spaces (short 125 spaces) and granting such a variance would set a precedence.

 

12) It was established by the Building Committee that:

a)     we do not have enough space at the present location to build a church of 500 seats (expandable to 750) and provide needed parking spaces

b)     Building must comply with Village Building Codes.

c)      We grow approximately 4% per year.

 

13) An offer was made to purchase property on Gavilan Canyon Road near Homestead Acres.  The property was sold to another buyer.  Other properties are being considered.

 

 

 


All parishioners are welcome at any of our meetings.  The meetings will be held at 6:30 PM on the 1st Tuesday of each month in the meeting room by the kitchen.

 

Please feel free to contact any Building Committee Member with suggestions or questions.  If you prefer to put them in writing, there are suggestion boxes near the entrances or mail them to the church office.