We, the undersigned, support St. Maron Church’s Application to the City of Cleveland Board of 
Zoning Appeals for variances and any other approvals that may be necessary to allow St. Maron 
Church to develop a surface parking lot on Permanent Parcel Number 101-38-027 (the “Parcel”) 
based upon the following:

❖ St. Maron Church has been an important part of the City of Cleveland and the Carnegie – East 9th Street neighborhood for over 100 years, and continues to be a thriving place of worship;
❖ Despite having constructed a parking garage more than 30 years ago, the continued growth of St. Maron Church has resulted in a shortage of parking that threatens the continued existence of the Church community;
❖ St. Maron Church acquired the Parcel in 2024, in its current vacant and undeveloped condition, which the Church would like to develop into a surface parking lot;
❖ Construction of a parking garage on the Parcel is simply not feasible; a surface lot will accommodate the needs of the Church at this time, and there is no other  practical use for the Parcel;
❖ Failure to obtain the requested variances will result in unnecessary hardship to St. Maron Church, due to the unique circumstances involved, there is no other viable  option available, and the additional parking is essential to the continued existence of a healthy Church community;
❖ Since St. Maron Church did not demolish any existing improvements on the Parcel, but acquired the Parcel in its current undeveloped condition, it did not create the existing hardship; and
❖ The proposed lot to be developed by St. Maron Church is in the public’s best interest as it will help to preserve the Church as a vital part of the area, which currently serves over 3,000 parishioners; in addition, the proposed lot will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood; rather, it will improve the area and significantly limit the need for random street parking, which is unsafe for the parishioners and unsightly to the area. 

For these reasons, we respectfully request that you grant the variances necessary to allow for the 
development of a surface parking lot on the Parcel.