Judge rules against City approval of parking lot
Originally published 05:47 p.m., July 21, 2008
Updated 09:05 p.m., July 21, 2008
A district judge has denied the City of Topeka the right to issue a permit for the construction of a parking lot for Grace Cathedral.
The Friends of Bethany Place brought a lawsuit against the City after the City Council gave approval for the parking lot last August.
The group didn't want Grace Cathedral cutting down trees.
A spokeswoman for the church says the ruling sets a "dangerous precedent."
"We just want to use a little slice of our land for a parking lot for our elderly and handicapped members," said Melodie Woerman, Director of Communications for the Kansas Episcopal Diocese. "The fact that the judge has ruled against that is not only unfortunate, but wrong."
A lawyer for the opposing side called the victory "delicious" saying, "This is a great victory for all of us in this community who believe in historic preservation."
This is a story we've been following for almost a year.
Read the ruling here.
Story Background
- 2-1-2008 Judge gives new life to Topeka parking lot battle
- 1-30-2008 Diocese and Friends of Bethany Place await decision
- 9-7-2007 Contested tree debris cleaned up after restraining order lifted
- 8-30-2007 Restraining Order leaves mess
- 8-29-2007 Episcopal Diocese wastes no time in felling trees for parking lot
- 8-29-2007 City Council clears way for parking lot near historic landmark
- 5-29-2007 Parking lot plan sparks controversy in historic Topeka
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