Cathedral of the Rockies parking lot appeal

The church's land-use counsel argued the parking is allowed as an accessory use within 600 feet under the R3 code and that Idaho's Free Exercise of Religion Protection Act requires approval.

Argued the North End overlay deliberately excludes big new parking lots, and that inconvenience isn't a 'substantial burden' under religious land-use law.

A 25-year member who drives 10 miles to attend said the parking shortage is a barrier for older members and families and dims turnout at Easter and Christmas services.

Church board of trustees chairman said the growing congregation's mission programs need the 35 spaces, especially for handicapped visitors.

A pastor at the church confirmed parking challenges, especially for the weekday dementia respite program that can't be replicated at the Amity campus.

A 45-year member who helped assemble the parking property said the church has been underparked since 1960 and the 35 spaces are a needed start.

The lead pastor said the 150-year-old downtown church serves over a thousand people weekly and that parking losses to safety improvements and Boise High's field project have squeezed it further.

A longtime member recalled Boise High student parking overwhelming neighborhood streets for decades and asked for the extra lot with more handicapped spaces.

The neighbor directly across the street strongly supported the appeal, saying the weed-filled vacant lot, school-year student parking, and preschool congestion make a landscaped lot the better outcome.