Capital Christian Center seeks to expand

Residents will have the opportunity Wednesday to comment on a proposed 44,384-square-foot expansion of Capital Christian Center on Snyder Avenue.

The Carson City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the planned addition on the existing 10-acre site.

The Capital Christian Center, built in 1987, belongs to the General Council of the Assemblies of God, based in Springfield, Mo.

The center consists of a church, a preschool, day-care center and a kindergarten- through 12th-grade school.

The new church will be approximately 56 feet tall, and its main entrance will face south, on Snyder.

The expansion's original blueprints included roof-mounted lighting, which does not comply with the building permit the church is seeking. As a result, the commission has urged the church to come up with alternative ways of lighting the structure.

The church will also expand and improve its parking lot.

Some neighbors have expressed concern with the size and effects of the project.

Nearby resident Thomas Gordon said he thinks the church addition will bring more traffic to an already congested area. He is also concerned the height of the building will obstruct his view of the Sierra Nevada, which is the reason why he bought his house.

Edmonds Drive resident Wes Clyde is worried about runoff and drainage. "This could possibly create more runoff, from heavy rains and snow, flowing to Snyder and South Edmonds Drive, which already has drainage problems," Clyde wrote to the commission.

Robert Lauder, who heads Palmer and Lauder Engineers, quelled those fears. "This project will not adversely drainage facilities in Snyder Avenue and Edmonds Drive," Lauder wrote.

He added, "There will be an increased total volume in the amount of runoff from the site. However, Carson City's criteria requires us to size the basins and create an outlet flow control system (restriction) so that the rate of flow stays the below current estimated rate of flow."

The planning staff has recommended the commission approve the church expansion.

n Contact Dan Moreau at dmoreau@nevadaappeal.com.