Attorneys for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints filed a motion last week to intervene in a September case brought against Salt Lake City by residents of the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

The complainants, Peter von Sivers and Bonnie Mangold, hope to overturn a July decision by the city's Board of Adjustment that they feel clears the church from having to replace parking spots lost in the library's construction. If its motion is granted, the church would join the city in defending against the complaint.

The proposed five-story building, to be located on the northeast corner of North Temple and Main Street, would eliminate an existing parking lot with spaces for 283 vehicles. Capitol Hill residents, who live on the narrow winding streets just north of the site, worry that they will pay the price.

"We have an enormous parking problem," said von Sivers, even without others "spilling over into our community."

Already, with the nearby Conference Center, residents say they feel burdened by eventgoers who drive and line their streets. But what really gets to von Sivers - chairman of the Capitol Hill Community Council - is what he views as the disregard of the city's 1999 Capitol Hill Master Plan.

"There are very clear statements in this master plan that say whenever changes in construction occur, replacements for parking must be provided," he said.

"You don't want the city to ignore its own master plan."

Doug Dansie, principal planner for the city, said Wednesday that the church had, in fact, met the requirement to offer parking when representatives came before the Board of Adjustment.

"They just met it in a different location," Dansie explained.

Since the library will be, for the most part, archival in nature, Dansie said it isn't expected to draw large crowds. Instead, it will attract LDS employees who now park, and will continue to park, across North Temple in the underground church parking structure. That, he said, is good for everyone.

"It's to the city's advantage to have coordinated parking rather than individualized surface parking lots scattered around," Dansie added.

But what about those who are not LDS employees, people who have used the 283 public parking spots? That's where the city and church argument falls short, von Sivers said.

"The public at large will lose [those spots], and that's why we're very concerned," he explained. "Essentially we, the neighborhood, will lose 283 parking stalls."

And for that reason, the University of Utah history professor plans to forge ahead - hopefully with some added assistance.

"We are in need of a good lawyer," von Sivers said.

Meantime, the library had its groundbreaking on Oct. 7, although construction won't begin until later this year. It is scheduled for completion in late 2007.

Once done, the structure will house 3.5 million manuscripts, 100,000 photographs and 210,000 publications. The shelving alone is estimated to run about 25 miles long.

LDS Church representatives, who are awaiting a response to their motion from 3rd District Judge Joseph Fratto, declined to comment. But Lynn Pace, a city attorney, said the LDS request to get involved will likely be granted.

"In my experience, most motions to intervene are granted," Pace explained. "We want to make sure those who have a stake in the outcome are heard."

jravitz@sltrib.com