Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Council hearing on Calvary expansion set for next week

Appeal keeps gym at church in limbo

By Jeff Kearns

The debate over the expansion plans of Calvary Church continues Monday, Jan. 5, when the Town Council will hold a public hearing on an appeal filed by Gail Brady at its regular 7:30 p.m. meeting.

Calvary Church, at 16630 Los Gatos Blvd., wants to build a new multipurpose gym at the rear of its property, which would face Robie Lane, but many residents of that street and other surrounding areas say the church building would tower over their homes and block views.

Though the building would stand 28 feet high, Calvary's architect redrew designs to move the highest point of the building away from Robie and turned the rear wall into a facade resembling a row of homes.

Residents of the surrounding area began opposing the expansion in 1994, but after working with the church and the town to find a compromise, many changed their minds on the project.

As for Brady and a few of her neighbors, however, their minds are made up. Some say that the church hasn't been honest in dealing with them and that Calvary is still planning to expand further.

Fred Wilson, Calvary's pastor, says the church isn't planning anything else.

Brady says she and other neighbors may consider civil suits against the church if the council decides to deny her appeal. "I want to work together," Brady says. "I think they should look into other options for that building, like sinking it about five feet."

One of the reasons Brady cites for her opposition is Calvary's intent to demolish one of the four houses it owns at the end of Robie Lane, in order to make room for a parking lot.

"I don't want the house torn down. It might make it easier for them to tear down the other three houses," she said.

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