Planners approve Curry lot

Space located at former German Reformed Church demolition site

The Altoona Planning Commission on Tuesday conditionally approved a land development plan for the parking lot that Curry Realty intends to construct on the ground where the former German Reformed Church building is being demolished.

The parking lot will accommodate users of the new headquarters building that Curry is creating in the former Vipond appliance store building on 11th Avenue nearby.

The approval is contingent on Curry replacing sidewalks that have been damaged during the church demolition and notifying all the adjacent property owners of its intention to construct the parking lot.

The company asked for no waivers of ordinance requirements.

There is also no need for stormwater management, because the green space workers will construct to accentuate the parking lot will ensure there will be no more storm runoff than there was with the church and rectory, which occupied the entire lot.

The aisle in the 23-space parking lot will be 30 feet wide, and the spaces 22 feet long -- both bigger than standard -- because many Curry employees drive large pickup trucks, said Adam Long of Keller Engineers, a company consultant.

The company's current headquarters is in rural Curryville, in Morrisons Cove.

"I thought you were going to say they were lousy drivers," commission Chairman Randy Isenberg said, laughing.

The project will require relocation of two city street lights, but won't require installation of streetlights exclusively for the parking lot, Long said.

Workers will install a bench, as required because of a nearby bus stop, and they will also install a bike rack, also required by ordinance.

There will be two-way access off 12th Avenue and off the alley that runs between 15th and 16th avenues, alongside the police station.

The parking spaces will be at right angles to the aisle that runs between those two openings.

There will be a narrow strip for greenery along the rest of the lot's perimeter.

They will include hedges to block headlights, Long said.

The company considered limiting access to the lot with gates and fobs, but decided not to do it, Long said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.