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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5853 Staff AnalysisJuly 26, 1994 ITEM NO.• 7 FILE NO.: Z-5853 NAME• LOCATION• OWNER APPLICANT: PROPOSAL• ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. Site Location Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church - Conditional Use Permit 2024 South Madison Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church by Earline Douglas, Treasurer/Secretary A conditional use permit is requested to allow for an addition to the existing church on this R-3 zoned lot. The addition will contain two classrooms, three offices, a fellowship hall, restrooms and a kitchen. No expansion of the sanctuary is proposed. A variance is requested to allow a reduced rear yard setback of 5 feet; 25 feet required. The church is located on the west side of the 2000 Block of South Madison Street, across from the Arkansas Veterans Home. 2. Compatibility with_ Neicrhborhood, The church is located in a predominantly single family residential neighborhood. The Arkansas Veterans Home, a large nursing home, is located directly across Madison Street, to the east. Other than the Veterans Home, all other surrounding property in the neighborhood is occupied by single family residential homes. Two small areas of C-3 zoning are located at 20th and Boulevard and 22nd and Monroe. Both of these areas contain single family residential homes. The church has existed at this site for 25 to 30 years. The proposed addition will not increase the seating capacity of the sanctuary. The proposed addition should not affect the church's compatibility with the neighborhood. July 26, 1994 ITEM NO.: 7 Continued FILE NO.: Z-5853 3. On -Site Drives and Parkin The sanctuary has a seating capacity of 163 persons, requiring 40 on-site parking spaces. The average Sunday attendance is substantially less. The site is nonconforming in that the church currently has no on-site parking. A vacant lot located next to the church is currently used by some of the church members for parking. The proposal before the Planning Commission does not involve an increase in the seating capacity of the sanctuary, thus no increase in the required number of on-site parking spaces. At some point, the church needs to address the parking situation by acquiring property in the area and constructing parking lots. Acquiring the vacant lot next to the church and constructing a proper parking lot would be a good beginning. 4. Screening and Buffers Compliance with the City's Buffer Ordinance is required. 5. City Encrineer Comments Compliance with the City's Stormwater Detention Ordinance is required. Provide detention calculation for the site. 6. Utility Comments No comments 7. Analysis Greater St. John Baptist Church is a small, nonconforming church which has been located in this predominately single family residential neighborhood for 25 to 30 years. The church is requesting a conditional use permit to allow for the construction of a 1,440 square foot addition which will contain two classrooms, three offices, a fellowship hall, restrooms and a kitchen. No increase in the seating capacity of the sanctuary is proposed.' No additional on-site activity such as a day care center or private school is proposed. Staff is supportive of the request but feels that the church should explore the possibility of obtaining property for parking. 8. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval subject to compliance with the City's Buffer Ordinance and compliance with the City Engineer Comments. 2 July 26, 1994 ITEM NO.: 7 (Continued) FILE NO.• Z-5853 SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JULY 7, 1994) Earline Douglas and Jesse Stringfellow were present representing the church. Staff presented the item and noted the City Engineer Comments, the requested setback variance and the lack of on-site parking. Bob Brown, Plans Review Specialist, noted that the required rear yard buffer is 7 feet; a buffer of 5 feet is proposed. It was pointed out that an undeveloped 20 foot alley right-of-way separates this property from the residential property to the rear. The applicant stated that the church was hoping to acquire the adjacent, vacant lot for development of a parking lot, but was unable to negotiate a price with the owner. The applicant was advised to provide detention calculations for the site and to contact the City Engineering staff regarding this matter. The Committee determined that there were no other outstanding issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 26, 1994) The applicant was present. There were no objectors in attendance, and the item was placed on the Consent Agenda. As part of the Consent Agenda, the Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit. The vote was 8 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent and 1 open position. 3