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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-4671-A Staff AnalysisJuly 13, 1993 ITEM NO.: 20 FILE NO.: Z--4 71-A NAME• LOCATION: OWNER/APPLICANT: PROPOSAL: ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Site Location Trinity United Methodist Church - Conditional Use Permit 1101 North Mississippi Trinity United Methodist Church/Jim Shirrell, Chairman, Board of Trustees The applicant requests a conditional use permit to allow for the expansion of the church parking lot and the relocation of the playground on this R-2 zoned site. The site is located at the southeast corner of North Mississippi Avenue and Evergreen Street. 2. Compatibility with Neighborhood Trinity United Methodist Church is an existing church and is not proposing an expansion of their property, but rather an increase in the intensity of the use of the current church site. There are churches on three of the four corners of Mississippi and Evergreen. Single family homes are located across Evergreen from the Trinity Methodist property. With attention given to screening the proposed parking lot from the residences located across Evergreen, the request should be compatible with the neighborhood. 3. Qn-Site Drives and Parking The proposal is to add a new parking lot of 57 spaces. A second, smaller lot of 8 spaces will be built near the sanctuary entrance for the elderly. Added to the existing parking, the church will have a total of 251 parking spaces. 4. 5creening and Buffers Compliance with the City's Landscape and Buffer Ordinances is required, with attention given to screening the new parking areas from the residences across Evergreen. July 13, 1993 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 20 (Continued) FILE NO.: Z -4671-A 5. City Engineer Comments Stormwater Detention and Excavation Ordinances apply. Redesign all entry points on Evergreen to give minimal stacking space. 6. Utility Comments No comments 7. Analysis The proposal; as submitted, is to relocate an existing playground and to construct two new parking lots, all on the current Trinity United Methodist Church site. With an increase in the landscaping on the Evergreen Street perimeter to screen those residences across the street, the proposal is appropriate and has staff support. 8. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of this application subject to compliance with the Landscape and Buffer Ordinances with increased landscaping on the Evergreen Street perimeter and compliance with the City Engineer Comments. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JUNE 24, 1993) The applicant was not present. Staff presented the item and noted the comments mentioned above. The Committee agreed that the driveway entrances should be redesigned to provide minimal stacking space and increased landscaped areas. After a brief discussion, the Committee determined that there were no outstanding issues and forwarded this item to the full Commission for final resolution. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 13, 1993) Jim Shirrell and Dr. Merle Johnson were present representing Trinity United Methodist Church. There were several objectors present. Dana Carney, of the Planning staff, presented the item and a staff recommendation of approval. Jim Shirrell then addressed the Commission. He informed them that church growth has resulted in needed additional parking. Mr. Shirrell stated that the church had agreed to redesign the_ entrances to increase stacking space and to provide increased landscaped areas.' 2 July 13, 1993 SUBDIVISION TEM NO.: 20 (Continued k4 .[► ►iQiyf0 Ms. Leigh Cole, of 7500 Evergreen, then addressed the Commission in opposition to the proposed parking lot. She stated that the existing church parking lot is not fully utilized, and that it would require cutting 50 trees to make room for the proposed new parking lot. She suggested that the church find another way to provide additional parking besides cutting trees. Ms. Kitty Sadler, of 7306 Evergreen, then addressed the Commission in opposition to the proposed parking lot. She showed several photographs of the area showing the existing trees and parking lot. Ms. Sadler stated that the existing parking lot had been a headache for the neighborhood. Ms. Sadler further informed the Commission that there is a real problem with church members parking on the street and making it difficult for neighborhood residents to drive up and down Evergreen. Elizabeth Stodola then addressed the Commission. She stated that she was speaking on behalf of some elderly neighbors who were unable to attend the commission meeting. Ms. Stodola stated that she does not want to see the trees cut, but agrees there is a problem with church members parking on the street. Mr. Shirrell then addressed the Commission and stated that the church would make every effort to save some existing trees along the street. He stated that the new parking lot will help eliminate the problem with on -street parking. Commissioner Putnam then recommended that the church increase landscaping along the Evergreen Street side. Commissioner Woods questioned the two additional curb cuts along Evergreen. He stated that less curb cuts would mean less tree cutting. Mr. Shirrell stated that this proposal is the best way to create the most parking spaces. Commissioner Willis then asked if the parking lot could be moved south to give additional buffering along Evergreen. Mr. Shirrell explained to the Commission that there is a substantial slope on the property which precludes moving the parking lot any further south. Commissioner Nicholson also questioned the need for two additional curb cuts. She asked if the two curb cuts proposed could be reduced to just one. Mr. Sbirrell then stated that it might be possible to redesign the parking lot to go with one curb cut. 3 July 13, 1993 SU DIVISION ITEM N 29 'Cont inued) FILE ND.: Z -457-A Commissioner Willis asked if this item needed to be deferred to allow time for the parking lot to be redesigned. Commissioner Chachere then asked if the conditional use permit could be approved today, subject to one entrance for the proposed new parking lot. Commissioner Putnam stated that it is not the Planning Commission's responsibility to redesign the parking lot. Commissioner McDaniel then made a motion to approve the application with a recommendation to be forwarded to the Traffic Engineer to look at the on -street parking problem. After further discussion, Commissioner Oleson added an amendment to the motion to limit the new parking lot to one entrance. Dr. Johnson, Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, then addressed the Commission. He agreed that some church members had created a problem by parking on Evergreen Street. He stated that the church would make whatever effort is necessary to eliminate that problem. Commissioner Oleson then withdrew her amendment. A gate was taken to approve the application as submitted, subject to compliance with staff recommendation. The vote was 9 ayes, I noe and 1 absent. 4