Z-3739-B Staff AnalysisVA
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August 3b,2007
ITEM NO.: 8
FILE NO.: �-3739-B
NAME: St. James United Methodist Church —
Revised Conditional Use Permit
LOCA: 321 Pleasant Valley Drive
OWNER/APPLICANT: St. James United Methodist Church/Jay Taylor
PROPOSAL: A revision to the previous) approved
permit for this existing church irequested to allowuse
the addition of a columbarium. for
SITE LOCATION:
The church is located on the south side of Pleasant Valley Drive, west of
1-430.
COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOC]:
The church has existed at this site for man
y years and is currently
undergoing an expansion. 1-430 is adjacent to the east, a multifamily
development is adjacent to the south, single-family residences are located
to the west and an elementary school and water plant are located across
Pleasant Valley Drive to the north. The proposed columbarium gardens
are located within the church campus. Allowing the use will not affect the
church's continued compatibility with the neighborhood.
All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents
within 300 feet who could be identified and the Pleasant Valley Property
Owners Association were notified of this request.
ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING;
All parking on the church site will remain. The proposed addition of the
columbarium will not generate the need for additional parking.
SCREENING AND BUFFERS:
No Comments.
5, PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS:
No Comments.
August 30, 2007
ITEM NO.: 8 Cont.) FILE NC.: Z -3739-B
6. UTILITY. FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS:
Wastewater: Sewer available to this property.
Entergy: No comments received.
CenterPoint Energy: No comments received.
AT&T (SBC): No comments received.
Water: No objection.
Fire Department: Approved as submitted.
County Planning: No Comments.
CATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route.
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (AUGUST 9, 2007)
The applicants were present. Staff gave a description of the proposal and noted
there were no additional comments. Staff noted there was an active construction
project already occurring on the site and the typical staff comments had been
addressed in the building permit review for the construction.
There was no further discussion. The Committee determined there were no
outstanding issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
St. James United Methodist Church occupies the R-2 zoned tract located at 321
Pleasant Valley Drive. The original C.U.P. for the church was approved in 1981.
Subsequent revisions in 1998 and 2005 were approved to allow for expansion of
the facilities on the site. A separate C.U.P. was also approved to allow for
development of a multipurpose facility located across Pleasant Valley Drive.
Construction is currently occurring on the church campus, which includes a new
sanctuary.
St. James Church is now requesting approval of a revision to the C.U.P. to allow
for construction and establishment of a columbarium on the church campus. The
col umbarium gardens will be located mostly within the spaces separating the
existing buildings on the site. The columbarium gardens will contain wails with
niches for placement of urns containing cremains. The garden areas will likely
also contain benches, sculptures and other elements to create a place of worship
and meditation.
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August 30, 2007
ITEM NO.: 8 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -3739-B
To staff's knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. There is no bill of
assurance for this acreage tract. Development of the columbarium gardens
within the existing church campus should have no effect on surrounding
properties.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested revised C.U.P.; as filed.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
(AUGUST 30, 2007)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the
item and a recommendation of approval as outlined in the "staff
recommendation" above. There was no further discussion.
The item was placed on the consent agenda and approved as recommended by
staff. The vote was 9 ayes, 0 noes, 1 absent and 1 open position.
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