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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Commitments and Concerns Regarding Land Use Issues in Rural King County
Statement presented to the King County Council
By Bishop Donald H. Maier, Northwest Washington Synod - ELCA
April 2, 2001
- The competing considerations before the County Council are also present within this church.
- A commitment to
preserve environmental quality is laid out in the 1993 social statement Caring
for Creation. Church members are encouraged to participate in organized efforts to preserve
environmental quality.
- A commitment to make
the church present where people are, and do so within the freedoms guaranteed
by the Bill of Rights.
- This church recognizes
the legitimate role of government to establish rules and regulations for the common
good, provided that
- The burden of
regulation is carried equally by all sectors of society;
- Restrictions are not
used to limit churches or the practice of religion in general; and
- Restrictions are
reasonable.
- Our
congregations seek to be good citizens and good neighbors.
- The ELCA seeks to be in
partnership with ecumenical partners and other groups in working "to reduce our
burden on the earth" by "curbing pollution," "avoiding waste" and "reducing our
consumption as a society," including the consumption of land. We also commit our congregations to being
institutions that "practice and model sound environmental stewardship." As communities of moral deliberation, we
welcome having a place as well as being a place "where tough issues can be
honestly addressed" and where diverse ideas on issues can be discussed,
including questions of "farm practices," "land-use planning," "development,"
and "population." (From Caring for Creation)
- Local churches are an important part of the fabric of
our society. Not only do they provide
places where people gather to exercise their right to the free exercise of
religion, they also provide services to communities: i.e. Youth centers, early
childhood programs, community meeting facilities, food banks and counseling
services.
- The size of our congregations is derived from the size
of the general population in an area. Small congregations are difficult to maintain. A minimum of 100 regular participants is necessary for economic
viability; optimum is 250-300 regular participants. A 10,000 square foot development for a church is unreasonably
restrictive. In most cases, a congregation's needs will be met with facilities between 25K and 30K square feet. If flexible zoning techniques are used -
such as doubling the base density of lots of 10 acres or more - providing 35K
square feet and even larger for institutional use is reasonable.
- We advocate for a policy of conditional use permits for churches in rural areas.
- Taking into account the location and features of a
particular location.
- Addressing the specific environmental harms and
concerns.
- Guided by well-defined, consistent and fair policies.
We appreciate the work of the
Council staff in moving us toward such a policy.
- Facts and figures.
- There are 72 ELCA churches in King County.
- Three of these congregations are located near the urban
growth boundaries. Congregations in
existence for over 20 years near Woodinville and Maple Valley are engaging in
building expansion because of rapid population growth in those areas. A congregation in Duvall is developing its
first permanent facility adjacent to the city limit. All three developments are stymied by the moratorium.
Northwest Washington Synod,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
5519 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle,
WA 98103-5899
206/783-9292 or 1-800-244-6997 (WA only)
E-mail: donene@lutheransnw.org
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