Church can add to its parking; residents object

Despite opposition from neighbors of Corpus Christi University Parish, the Toledo plan commission yesterday granted the Catholic church permission to expand its parking lot.

The commission acted during its monthly meeting, at which representatives of the Secor Gardens neighborhood spoke out against the expansion. Resident Rosa Turnbough gave the commission petitions signed bymore than 200 residents who she said oppose the larger lot.

The church, 2955 Dorr St., bought two homes next to its grounds and wants to tear them down to create 45 more parking spaces. The growing parish primarily serves students and staff at the University of Toledo.

Ms. Turnbough said neighbors oppose homes being razed because they believe the demolition would erode the residential fabric of the area. She called church members "outsiders."