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In January, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church plans to begin a project to expand its rectory and activity center.
The church on William Street in Fredericksburg is one of the largest in the area, with an estimated congregation of 14,000.
The College Heights Civic Association recently said it would oppose any special-use permits that could alter the single-family residential character of the neighborhood. The organization's stance is, in large part, a response to the church's expansion plans.
The greatest concern to residents is the possible razing of three houses owned by the church, an expanded parking lot and an exit/entrance onto Augustine Avenue behind the church.
Residents are also concerned about plans to expand a school on the church's property. St. Mary has a preschool there now. Holy Cross Academy, a Catholic school in Stafford County affiliated with St. Mary, would move its kindergarten and its first and second grades to the expanded church.
Many worry that expansion would increase traffic, particularly on Augustine Avenue and Royston Street. Currently, parishioners access the parking lot from William Street and Stafford Avenue.
So far, the only plan St. Mary has submitted is for a small boundary-line adjustment between the church's main parcel and 1101 Stafford Ave.
Church officials have said discussions should wait until plans are concrete.
PETITIONS CIRCULATED
College Heights residents Trish and Tommy Williams, working independently of the civic association, circulated a petition against the church's proposal last month.
"I don't think everyone knows what's going on, so I decided to start a petition." Tommy Williams said. "I want the church to know how everyone feels."
The petition asks the Planning Commission and City Council to deny any new special-use permits. It also opposes the demolition of any houses, any new access points for auto or foot traffic, relocation of any classes from Holy Cross, and consolidation of residential parcels into the larger parcel of St. Mary.
Petitions have been circulated, and 163 signatures have been collected so far.
According to accounts of a May civic association meeting, only one of about 40 residents spoke in favor of the church's plans.
'GOOD NEIGHBOR'
Fredericksburg City Councilwoman Kerry Devine lives in College Heights, and has heard residents' concerns.
"College Heights has been a good neighbor," she said. "They have dealt with issues like encroachment and traffic and parking, but it's a concern when churches are expanding in the neighborhood.
"It's not just the neighborhood against the church. There are some parishioners who are against the church's plans."
College Heights has been in this position before. It is effectively hemmed in, feeling occasional pressure from the University of Mary Washington and commercial development on Jefferson Davis Highway. There are a number of churches in the neighborhood, but this is the first time the civic association has taken such a strong stance against expansion.
"We really did some soul-searching," association President Clyde Matthews said. "We circulated the statement via e-mail for about a month, refining it."
In the end, board members felt it was time to draw a line in order to maintain the nature of their neighborhood.
CHURCH HAS GROWN
Taking a stand at this point could hamper the church's immediate expansion plans, but it also sets a precedent for any future church projects.
Since St. Mary moved to its current location in 1971, it has purchased much of the surrounding property. It currently owns all but five parcels on the block.
Both Matthews and board Secretary Amanda McGrady emphasize that they are happy to have St. Mary in their community.
They insist that the issue is expansion, not the church.
"We want College Heights to be a welcoming community," McGrady said. "We like the eclectic quality of our neighborhood.
"We don't want to be viewed as a regulatory group, but it was the scale of the project that made the difference in this case."
St. Mary made its plans known to the community during an information session in April. The Rev. Donald Rooney, the parish's senior pastor, was present, as were representatives of the Arlington Diocese and Geier Brown Renfrow Architects, along with other church officials. Some 50 College Heights residents attended.
Since that session, church officials have remained relatively quiet on the issue. Rooney responded to e-mail inquiries from The Free Lance-Star, explaining that the project is still in the early planning phases, and discussion should wait until plans are more concrete.
David Kolar, like many of his neighbors in College Heights, isn't waiting to voice his opinion.
"We don't want the church to move out of the neighborhood," Kolar said, "We just want to keep a lid on it. Allowing expansion would give them a sign to make the church as big as they want."
Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com