Politics & Government

Christ Scientist Church Clears Another Hurdle for Parking Lot Approval

The Haddonfield planning board approved the measure Tuesday. Some neighbors say the lot will 'blight' the historic district.

It's two down and one to go for the First Church of Christ, Scientist effort to carve out a parking lot behind its sanctuary in the 300 block of Kings Highway East.

The Haddonfield planning board on Tuesday approved the church's request by a 4-2 vote after a marathon meeting that ended after midnight. The no votes came from Stuart Harting and borough Commissioner John Moscatelli. 

The application will have a hearing before the zoning board next month.

A group of neighbors opposes the grass lot as an affront to the borough historic district. It's currently an open area with several trees.

"Why should we allow a 22-car parking lot to ruin a residential neighborhood and blight the historic district for the convenience of a small handful of people?" neighbor Mary Previte wrote in a letter to her neighbors before the meeting.

The lot will be accessed on Sylvan Lake Avenue. The church also operates a Christian Science Reading Room on Haddon Avenue in Haddonfield.



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