A Virginia-based developer could be the answer to a Silver Spring church's prayers if county officials OK a proposed multi-use project that would add stores and condominiums along with upgrades for the house of worship.

However, current zoning would not allow such a structure and the proposal, which would create a building 90 feet high and include underground parking, has not been well-received by neighbors who are concerned that the structure would be too tall for the neighborhood.

First Baptist Church, located just outside downtown Silver Spring by Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street, needs about $1.5 million to $2 million worth of repairs, said the Rev. Duncan McIntosh, the church's pastor, at a recent Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Board meeting.

Church members can't afford those repairs. If the members paid for the renovation, the church -- which prides itself on serving an urban population -- would be insolvent in five to 10 years and would likely have to leave the area, or members would have to find other churches to attend, McIntosh said.

"You can't be an urban church and be in the suburbs," he said.

But the Bush Corporation has offered to work with the church and build an updated place of worship on the property -- as well as retail space, 250 condominiums and an arts component, McIntosh said. Twenty percent of the condos would be moderately priced dwelling units. Some would face Bonifant Street and others would face Fenton Street.

Most of the building's retail space would be on the ground level facing Fenton Street, to keep with the street's commercial character, McIntosh said. Condos will be above the stores, rising to 90 feet.

But now, you can't build up to 90 feet, said Glenn Kreger, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's team leader for Silver Spring and Takoma Park, noting that zoning in the Fenton Street Village area has a height limit of 60 feet. In areas just outside Fenton Street Village, buildings can go up to 90 feet in height if one-third of the structure is residential.

It's a good project, Kreger said at Thursday's Urban District meeting, but might be better suited in a different location where the zoning allows for taller structures.

However, Kreger said during a Monday interview, a zoning text amendment, if passed, could allow a developer to build higher. "Without a text amendment, they don't have a project," he said.

The church has discussed a zoning text amendment, said County Council President Thomas E. Perez (D-Dist. 5) of Takoma Park. Perez suggested that the church speak and work with community members not in favor of the building height, before pursuing an amendment to the zoning legislation.

Bob Colvin, president of the East Silver Spring Citizens Association, said residents had previously argued to keep height restrictions lower on Fenton Street.

The citizens association suggested the church swap land with the Silver Spring Library on Colesville Road because a new library is slated to be built on Wayne Avenue near Fenton Street, and the library's old site will be vacant, Colvin said.

However, that land on Colesville Road also isn't zoned for the multi-use development Bush Corporation and the church would like to have, McIntosh said.

That library land, located just outside Silver Spring's central business district, is in a residential zone, Kreger said.

Perez said he's been working with community members affected by the project, as well as the church, to come up with a solution. "I think there's a lot of possibility here," Perez said. "I think that everyone has come to participate in good faith. I'm very optimistic they can work through this and develop a concept."

"Very, very few [community members] are up and cheering for it," McIntosh said of the development and height of the building.

"I'd rather not fight the church because we've got people there who are parishioners, too," Colvin said.

If it is refurbished, the new church facility would have space for current and future programs, McIntosh said.

Auditorium space also would likely be used by a Christian theater company and a Christian comedy club located in a Beltsville shopping center. Retail space could possibly house a consignment store run by the Washington Society of Christian Artists. A parking garage with about 300 spaces would be located under the building.

Other churches also are adding residential and retail spaces to their properties, McIntosh said. The First Baptist Church of Clarendon in Virginia is developing its site, and has used Silver Spring's plan as a guide, he said.

Urban District board members were impressed by the project plans.

"It's a pretty creative, innovative project," said Charlie Atwell, a board member and Silver Spring business owner and resident.

"This will make a great impact on the downtown Silver Spring Community," said Bob Middleton, chairman of the advisory board.

Send announcements for the Community Calendar to: The Gazette, 8650 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910; fax to 301-562-3262; or e-mail to jbrocker@gazette.net. Items must be received the Wednesday prior to publication.

Thursday, Jan. 27

"Born to Read" program for newborns through 23 months old, 10:30 a.m. at Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road. Call 301-565-7689.

"What Did You Say?" hearing lecture and screening, 10:30 a.m. at Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-681-1255.

"Journey to India" discussion, 11 a.m. at Long Branch Senior Center, 8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-431-5708.

Friday, Jan. 28

Gifted and talented magnet program open house for parents with kindergarten-age children living in Montgomery County, 9:30-11 a.m. at Takoma Park Elementary School, 7511 Holly Ave. Call 301-650-6414.

"Our World Today" discussion, 10 a.m. at Long Branch Senior Center, 8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-431-5708.

Cuddleups for newborns through age 2, 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. at Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave. Call 240-777-0678.

AARP Widowed Persons Service, 1 p.m. at Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-949-7398 to register.

"L'CHAIM! To Life in America!" musical entertainment, 1 p.m. at Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-681-1255.

Tea dance, 1:15 p.m. at Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Wheaton. Cost: $4. Call 301-468-4448.

Organizational meeting for American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, 6 p.m. at Kennedy High School, 1901 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. To RSVP, call 301-933-9350.

Eating Addictions Anonymous, 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at Holy Cross Hospital, private dining rooms 1 and 2, second floor, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-526-6746.

Falun Gong meditation, 8 p.m. at White Oak Middle School Cafeteria, 12201 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Call 301-890-0909.

Saturday, Jan. 29

Child safety and CPR class, 9:30 a.m. at Washington Adventist Hospital, 7600 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park. Cost: $25 per person, $40 per couple. Call 800-542-5096 to register.

"Becoming A Father: More Than Handing Out Cigars," 9:30 a.m. to noon at Holy Cross Resource Center, 9805 Dameron Drive, Silver Spring. Cost: $25. Call 301-754-8800 to register.

Infant CPR class, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Resource Center, 9805 Dameron Drive, Silver Spring. Cost: $25. Call 301-754-8800 to register.

"Tapping Trees" for maple syrup, 10-11 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. at Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Call 301-946-9071.

Plant clinic, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Call 301-656-5639.

Conversation club for new English speakers, 11 a.m. at Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Ave., Silver Spring. Call 240-777-0910.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Chinese folktales for ages 6 and older, 2 p.m. at Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road. Call 301-565-7689.

Storytime for ages 2-6 with caregiver, 2 p.m. at Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave. Call 240-777-0678.

Bassist & recording artist William Thomas "Keter" Betts & mime Mark Jaster, Class Acts Arts' Kaleidoscope Family Series, 4 p.m. at NOAA Auditorium, 1301 East West Highway, Silver Spring. Tickets: $7 in advance and $10 at the door, $6 each for groups of 10 or more.

Oakland Terrace Elementary School PTA International Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Newport Mill Middle School, 11311 Newport Mill Road, Kensington. Cost: $1. Call 301-840-4627.

"How Are Stars Born?" astronomy presentation, 7 p.m. at Montgomery College Planetarium, Fenton Street and Takoma Avenue, Takoma Park. Call 301-650-1463.

Sunday, Jan. 30

"Beginning Birds" for ages 6 and older, 10-11 a.m. at Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Cost: $4. Call 301-946-9071 to register.

Al-Anon for family and friends of alcoholics, 2 p.m. at Montgomery Hills Baptist Church, 9727 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Call 202-882-1334.

Chinese cooking class, 3 p.m. at The Chinese School of Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington, D.C., 7716 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring. Cost: $5. Call 301-587-0033 or 301-365-5088.

Recital by Piano Society of Greater Washington, 3 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 9595 Georgia Ave. Free. Call 301-309-2470.

"The ME Nobody Knows," Soul Inspiration Ministries gospel presentation, 4-6 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 12221 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton. Call 301-528-9930 or visit www.soulinspiration.org.

Monday, Jan. 31

Blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Long Branch Senior Center, 8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-431-5708.

"The World of Art: Winslow Homer" workshop, 2 p.m. at Senior Source, 8580 Second Ave., Silver Spring. Cost: $5. Call 301-562-7322.

Tuesday, Feb. 1

Stroke risk-factor seminar, 10:30 a.m. at Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Sponsored by the Montgomery County Stroke Association. Call 301-681-1255.

"Civil Rights for All," Jefferson Café discussion, 11 a.m. at Long Branch Senior Center, 8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-431-5708 to register.

Overcomers Outreach Christ-centered recovery group meeting, 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 8415 Fenton St., Silver Spring. Call 301-563-6408.

"Shadows on the Wall," African-American film series, 7 p.m. at Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road. Call 301-565-7689.

Congestive heart failure series, 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Feb. 22, at Holy Cross Hospital, seventh floor, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-754-8800 to register.

Neighbors of Northwest Branch, 7:30 p.m. at White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Call John Fay at 301-946-5599.

Recovery Inc. support group for people with mental, nervous and emotional problems, 7:30 p.m. at Glenmont United Methodist Church, 12901 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Call Joan at 301-460-4287.

Emotions Anonymous for emotional health, 8 p.m. at Holy Cross Hospital, private dining room, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-593-0390.

Tax preparation assistance, at Charles W. Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity, 11319 Elkin St., Wheaton. Call 240-777-4940.

Wednesday, Feb. 2

"Presidents Lincoln and Washington" lecture, 10:30 a.m. at Long Branch Senior Center, 8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-431-5708 to register.

Mothers First-Montgomery County for stay-at-home moms, 10:30 a.m. at Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave. Call 703-827-5922 or www.mothersfirst.org.

"One Doctor: Daniel Hale Williams" video, 11 a.m. at Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-681-1255.

Immigration assistance clinic, 6-8 p.m. at The Charles W. Gilchrist Center, for Cultural Diversity, 11319 Elkin St., Wheaton. Call 240-777-4940.

African American book discussion group, 7 p.m. at Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road. Call 301-565-7689.

Conversation club for new English speakers, 7 p.m. at Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road. Call 301-565-7689.

Grandparents-to-be discussion group and hospital tour, 7-9 p.m. at Holy Cross Hospital, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Cost: $10 per person, $18 per couple. Call 301-754-8800 to register.

Thursday, Feb. 3

"Time for Tots" storytime for children age 2-3, 10:30 a.m. at Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road. Call 301-565-7689.

Discussion about Medicare standards and benefits, 11 a.m. at Long Branch Senior Center, 8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-431-5708.

Legal discussion about probate, 1:15 p.m. at Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Wheaton. Call 301-468-4448.