The City Council voted in favor Tuesday night of a revised proposal from First Church of Waterville, which would like to demolish buildings at its Park Street property, above, to expand parking and build a ramp at the rear of the church that would be accessible to those with handicaps. Amy Calder/Morning Sentinel file

WATERVILLE — The First Church of Waterville is well on its way to securing the right to raze two buildings off Park Street to expand its parking lot and build an entrance ramp.

The City Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday night to amend the zoning map for 3, 5 and 7 Park St. with certain conditions for the contract zone, including that the only permitted uses on the site include a parking lot, a ramp accessible to those with handicaps, professional offices and housing.

Officials said the conditions of the contract zone are intended to preserve the residential character of the abutting neighborhood.

The City Council must take a second vote to finalize the changes, likely in two weeks.

Councilor Rien Finch, D-Ward 6, who voted against the change, said he disagreed with the board’s findings that the contract zone will preserve the city’s historic resources.

“The church was never in danger of being torn down as a result of a ‘no’ vote on this contract zone and site plan,” Finch said. “In fact, this plan destroys two historic structures, which is the opposite of preserving them.”

The plan dramatically increases parking, he said, and will increase traffic flow and make the area less safe.

“I don’t know that this does anything to create a city that is a great place to live, raise a family for the residents of Park Place or residents looking for housing,” Finch said. “We find ourselves once again in a position where housing is being torn down for the benefit of a private entity.

“I’m not sure how to stop this precedent, and I hope after this vote, we as a council can come up with a plan that preserves housing.”

James Monteleone, the church’s lawyer, said the site plan is reflective of significant efforts to work with the city to adopt a compromise position.

“In light of that really extraordinary effort that has happened over a significant period of time, we hope the council would adopt it,” he said.

Finch and Councilor Thomas Klepach, D-Ward 3, voted against the zoning changes. Council Chair Rebecca Green, D-Ward 4, and Councilors Brandon Gilley, D-Ward 1, Flavia DeBrito, D-Ward 2, and Cathy Herard, D-Ward 7, voted in favor of the changes.

The Planning Board voted 4-1 on Jan. 28 to recommend the City Council approve revisions to the zoning contract for the church’s property, with the condition that City Engineer Andy McPherson sign off on a revised site plan that eliminated fewer spaces than the one proposed by the church’s senior pastor, Stephen Meidahl, and church engineer Jeff Allen.

McPherson’s proposed changes included that the parking lot would have only one entrance and one exit; traffic aisles would be narrowed to 22 feet from 24 feet; parking spaces facing Park Place would be set back 4 feet; and spaces would be changed to angular parking where possible, except on Park Place, which is perpendicular to Park Street.

Church officials want to tear down two buildings on the property to expand parking and build a ramp at the rear of the church that would be accessible to those with handicaps. More than a year ago, they said the congregation had grown, requiring more parking space.

Church neighbors said tearing down the former apartment buildings on the property and drawing more traffic would disrupt the nature of the neighborhood and eliminate much-needed housing.