Section 2. PLANNING FACTORS
1.
THE SITE.
a.
Importance. Activities sheltered by chapels and religious
education facilities are voluntary. Because of this the success of the
religious program (which means its capacity to be of service) depends focally
on the selection of sites that are advantageous. The sitting of chapels on
military bases is no less critical than the sitting of commercial enterprises
in civilian situations.
b.
Criteria. A series of factors must be evaluated.
(1) Accessibility. Chapels need to be accessible to personnel who
are pedestrians as well as to those who can travel by auto or bus. Proximity
to barracks is important to serve the former; the distance traversed by people
who drive is not critical once they are in their vehicles. If bus routes exist
they should be considered.
(2) Visibility. Sites on well-traveled routes, where the structures
are easily and often seen, are to be favored.
(3) Appropriate Adjacencies. Neighboring structures or facilities
should be related in scale and architecturally compatible if possible. Suf-
ficient space for appropriate landscaping is desirable. The Base Exterior
Architectural Plan, if available, is to be consulted and respected.
(4) Utilities and Services. For the sake of economy the sewer, water,
electric, and steam (where applicable) services should be readily available.
(5) Acoustic Environment. Aircraft flight paths or proximity to
noisy athletic fields or other noise generating activities should be avoided.
(6) Parking. As with commercial ventures the nearby availability of
adequate parking is of paramount concern. This may be on the site, supplied as
part of the project, or it may be space shared by other facilities. The
standard of adequate parking is high because of the typically tight schedule
of Sunday morning activities, when one group of worshipers may arrive before
an earlier group has left. such standards, which normally range between three
and five seating places in a place of worship for each parking space, must be
evaluated against the expectations of personnel arriving by car or by foot and
public transportation. Reserved parking for staff members and proper access to
service entrances should be planned.
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