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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5365-D Staff AnalysisMay 15, 1997 ITEM NO.• 1 NAME• LOCATION• OWNER/APPLICANT: PROPOSAL• ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Site Location: FILE NO.: Z -5365--D Geyer Springs First Baptist Church - Revised Conditional Use Permit 12,400 Interstate 30 Geyer Springs First Baptist Church/John McMorran A revised conditional use permit is requested for the expansion (two (2) phases) of the existing church building and parking area. The property is zoned R-2. The church is located on the north side of Interstate 30, across from the Jacuzzi Company Plant. 2. Compatibility with Neighborhood: The church property consists of approximately 165 acres, of which, only about 26 acres are buildable due to the remainder of the land being located in the floodplain. Less than 5 acres are developed. This developed property fronts directly onto the I-30 frontage road with the remaining 160± acres separating the church site from all adjoining property. The existing church building is located several hundred feet from the nearest property line. The proposed church expansion should have no effect on the surrounding properties. There was no neighborhood association to notify of the public hearing. 3. On -Site Drives and Parking: The church site currently has two (2) access points along the Interstate 30 frontage road. No other access points'are proposed. The new,sanctuary will have a seating capacity of 2,000 persons, which requires 500 off-street parking spaces. May 15, 1997 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -5365-D The site currently contains 512 parking spaces. 240 parking spaces will be added with phase I and 350 parking spaces will be added with phase II, for a total of 1,102 off-street parking spaces. 4. Screening and Buffers: Areas set aside for buffers and landscaping meet with ordinance requirements. The City Beautiful Commission recommends that as many existing trees be saved as is feasible. Saving existing trees can help reduce the cost of planting new ones which are required. 5. Public Works Comments: 1. Construct sidewalks on frontage per ADA requirements. Improve access road to provide center turn lane for drives with this construction. 2. Grading permit will be required on this new development, if it disturbs more than one acre. 3. Stormwater detention ordinance applies to this property. 4. Contact the AHTD for work within the State Highway right-of-way. 5. Provide required electric service for street lights coordinator of Traffic Engineer. 6. Utility and Fire Department Comments: No Comments. 6A. CATA This site is not on a Central Arkansas Transit Authority bus route. 7. Staff Analysis: The applicant, Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, is requesting a revised conditional use permit to allow for the expansion of the existing church building and parking area. The property is zoned R-2 and has a conditional use permit for the existing church and day care uses. The site currently contains a 36,160 square foot church building, a large temporary modular building, 512 parking spaces and a single-family residential structure. 2 May 15, 1997 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 1 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z -5365-D The expansion of the church facility is proposed to take place in two (2) phases. Phase I will consist of a 85,000 square foot building addition (two story) and construction of 240 parking spaces. This addition will house a 2,000 seat sanctuary, offices, music rehearsal area and classroom space. The large temporary modular building will be removed after completion of Phase I. Phase II will consist of a 40,000 square foot building addition (two story) and construction of 350 additional parking spaces. Phase II construction will accommodate a fellowship hall area and additional classroom space. The existing single family residential structure will be removed during Phase II. The proposed 2,000 seat sanctuary will require 500 parking spaces. 512 parking spaces currently exist on the site. 590 parking spaces are proposed (Phase I and II), for a total of 1,102 spaces. The church is requesting a height variance to allow a 135 foot tall steeple. City Ordinance allows a 70 foot tall church steeple by right (twice the 35 foot height permitted in R-2 zoning). Staff recommends approval of the height variance request given the fact that the building site is located in the middle of 165 acres and that a large part of the remaining acreage is in the floodway, which acts as a natural buffer. The proposed steeple should not adversely impact the adjacent properties. The church is also requesting a five (5) year deferral for street and sidewalk improvements to the I-30 frontage road. At writing, Public Works has not made a recommendation on this request, as they are awaiting word from the Highway Department. The Public Works representative will give the recommendation at the public hearing. with the church site being located near the center of the 165 acres of land and the proposed church building being located several hundred feet from the nearest property line, the proposed church expansion should have no effect on the surrounding properties. 8. Staff Recommendation: Staff 'recommends approval of the revised conditional use permit, subject to the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the Landscape Comment 3 May 15, 1997 SUBDIVISION ITEM NO.: 1 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -5365-D 2. Compliance with the Public Works Comments 3. Staff recommends approval of the requested height variance for the proposed church steeple. 4. The Public Works representative will give a recommendation on the deferral request for street and sidewalk improvements to the I-30 frontage road at the public hearing. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (APRIL 24, 1997) Pat McGetrick and John McMorran were present, representing the application. Staff gave a brief description of the proposal. David Scherer, of Public Works, reviewed his comments with the Committee. This discussion focused on the sidewalk issue and center turn lane within the access road. The applicant indicated that a request for deferral of the sidewalks may be forthcoming. Bob Brown, Site Plan Review Specialist, reviewed his comments with the Committee. He stated that as many of the existing trees on the site as possible should be saved. Staff noted that the applicant is requesting a height variance for the proposed church steeple. After a brief discussion, the Committee accepted the presentation and forwarded the issue to the full Commission for final action. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 15, 1997) The staff presented a positive recommendation on this application, as there were no further issues for resolution. There were no objectors to this matter. The Chairman placed the item before the Commission inclusion within the Consent Agenda for approval as recommended by staff. A motion to that effect was The motion was passed by a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays 1 absent. 4 for made. and October 30, 2003 ITEM NO.: 1 NAME: LOCATION: OWNER/APPLICANT FILE NO.: Z -5365-D Geyer Springs First Baptist Church — Revised Conditional Use Permit 124001-30 Geyer Springs First Baptist Church PROPOSAL: A revision to a previously approved conditional use permit is requested to allow for continued use of 4 portable classroom buildings for up to 2 years. STAFF REPORT: On February 12, 1991, the Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing for construction of a new church building on this R-2 zoned, 130± acre tract. The approval included a single, two-story, 42,000 square foot building and associated parking. On September 6, 1994, the Commission approved an amendment to the C.U.P. to allow for the placement of 4 portable classroom buildings on the site. Use of the portable buildings was to be for a period of 3 years or until permanent classroom facilities were constructed, whichever came first. On July 18, 1996, the Commission approved an amendment to the C.U.P. to allow for the addition of a day care and kindergarten within the existing building. The day care/kindergarten was approved to have a maximum enrollment of 200 children. At that time, the entire congregation had not moved from Geyer Springs to this new facility. The four previously approved portable buildings had not yet been placed on the property. Development still consisted only of the initial 42,000 square foot building and the associated parking. On May 15, 1997, the Commission approved an amendment to the C.U.P. allowing for the phased expansion of the building and parking. One large, temporary modular building had been placed on the site adjacent to the church building. Phase I consisted of a 85,000 square foot, two-story building addition and additional parking. Phase I was to contain a 2,000 seat sanctuary, offices, music rehearsal space and classrooms. The large, temporary modular building was to be removed after the completion of Phase I. Phase II was to consist of a 40,000 square foot, two-story addition and additional parking. Phase II was to contain a fellowship hall and additional classroom space. Phase I was completed and the large, temporary modular building was removed. October 30, 2003 ITEM NO.: 14 (Cont.) _ FILE NO.: Z -5365-D On January 21, 2000, staff approved the placement of two portable classroom buildings on the site to be used until September 18, 2000 in anticipation of beginning the Phase II expansion. On February 22, 2000, staff approved the placement of two additional portable classroom buildings, also until September 18, 2000. On August 22, 2000, staff approved the continued use of the four portable classroom buildings until September 2001. On August 27, 2001, staff approved an extension, allowing the four portable classrooms to remain until September 2002. No additional extensions were granted and the four portable classroom buildings remain on the site. The church is now asking for approval of the continued use of the four classroom buildings for an additional two years. The buildings are used on Sunday mornings for Sunday School and on Wednesday evenings for AWANA's. They are used no more than 3 to 4 hours per week. The church anticipates beginning a building program within the next two years. Staff is supportive of this request. The church buildings are located within a larger tract and are not adjacent to any particularly sensitive use. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Otter Creek and SWLR United for Progress Neighborhood Associations were notified of the request. Staff has received no comments. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the request to allow the continued use of the four portable classroom buildings until October 30, 2005 or until the next phase of construction, whichever comes first. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (OCTOBER 30, 2003) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval as noted 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 and 2 absent. 2