HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4084 Staff AnalysisSeptember 28, 1983
Item No. 1 Z-4084
Owner:
Address:
Description:
Zoned:
Variance
Requested:
Justification:
First Baptist Church
901 Calhoun Street
Long Legal
"R-3" Single Family District
From all yard setbacks of Section
43-7-101.3 of the Code of Ordinances and
a variance of the off-street parking
provisions to permit 54 parking spaces
in lieu of 60 required
The applicant states that there are several points of
justification on the building variance. The configuration
of the block which is askewed at a severe angle thereby
creating a design problem.
Although the projection on the front is beyond the setback
line, it is behind the plane of the present building plus
the building averages over 25' in setback.
The block contains an alley which is not open and adds to
the setback offered of 101. A minimum of 30' of open space
will exist between the new building and the lot -line to the
east. As to the parking variance:
1. The growth potential of the church is on the adjacent
property to the south of the present sanctuary.
Therefore, the parking has to be replaced off-site.
2. The church feels that development of the block across
the street to fill church needs would be better
design and use. The church hopes to acquire the
remaining lots across the street for additional spaces
and develop the entire six lots as parking.
Present Use of
the Property: Church and vacant lots
Proposed Use of
the Property: Remain same with expanded structure and
parking
September 28, 1983
Item No. 1 - Continued
STAFF REPORT
A. Engineering Issues
The only engineering issues attendant to this proposal
concern final design on parking lots, drives to those
lots and the need for opening alleys not now in use.
The basic street improvements are in place.
B. Staff Analysis
The staff view of this variance is that the request is
well documented and -researched by the applicant with a
resultant justifiable application. Points raised by
the applicant we feel support the variances. However,
there are several points of discussion we would like to
raise.
1. The number of parking spaces is dealt with as
ordinance requirement and it is obvious that even
60 spaces will not provide all of the parking
needs for a 300 capacity church. There will be
on -street parking.
2. Future expansion of this facility beyond 300 seats
as suggested by the applicant will probably add a
requirement for many additional parking spaces.
It is the feeling of staff that these spaces
should be so located as to be within the block
from 9th to 10th on either side of the street.
Such location should not present a single family
residence boxed in between adjoining parking lots
and interrupting the continuity of property usage.
3. The applicant should be committed to returning to
the Board of Adjustment for review of future
parking expansion plans.
4. The potential for additional seats within the
sanctuary should be tied down to a future review
so as to preclude the addition of significant
seating without review by the Board.
5. The staff's view of the alley behind the church is
that it should not be opened, but retained as a
permanent green strip in the block. We would ask
that the City Engineer Division review and approve
any opening of the alley on the west side of
Calhoun.
September 28, 1983
Item No. 1 - Continued
6. The Board should be aware that this variance is
preliminary to a conditional use permit
application to be reviewed by the Planning
Commission on October 11th. Any motion should
comment on that action to follow.
C. Staff Recommendation
Approval of the request, subject to applicant
commitment to items 2-5 above.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ACTION:
Mr. Jerry Wooldridge, the architect for the project, was
present and presented a brief comment on the project. There
were no objectors in attendance. Staff and the Board held a
brief discussion. A motion was then made to approve the
variance package as requested subject to the comments of
staff in Items 2-5 of the staff recommendation. The motion
passed by a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 1 abstention (Herbert
Rideout).