Waterloo Church Parking Lot Issue

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Members of a Catholic church in Waterloo are unhappy after the City Council narrowly agreed to donate a parking lot to a developer who plans to build townhouses at the site.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports (http://bit.ly/1jNVmkl ) the council voted 4 to 3 on Monday to donate the 50-stall lot adjacent to Queen of Peace Catholic Church to Black Hawk Contracting and Development. The company plans to build six brownstone style townhouses.

Church members say the parking is essential to the church, but council members who supported the plan say the housing will generate more money in tax revenue.

Mayor Buck Clark promised to work with church members to alleviate parking concerns, even if that could include removing parking meters or closing a street during events.