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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7215 Staff AnalysisMay 23, 2002 ITEM NO.: 7 FILE NO.: Z-7215 NAME: First Church of the Nazarene — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 1200 N. Mississippi Avenue OWNER/APPLICANT: First Church of the Nazarene/Dr. T. Dan Casey PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for construction of a fellowship hall and classroom addition onto this existing church. This 5.2t acre site is zoned R-2. ORDINANCE DESIGN STANDARDS: 1. SITE LOCATION: The church site is located at the northwest corner of North Mississippi Avenue and Evergreen Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The church is located within an institutional node around the intersection of Evergreen Street and Mississippi Avenue. Large churches are located adjacent to the north and south and diagonally across Mississippi. An elementary school is located one block to the east. Beyond this node of institutional uses, all surrounding properties are zoned R-2 and are occupied by single family residences. The proposed expansion is located within the boundary of the Nazarene church property; near the center of the site. This proposed fellowship hall/classroom addition will not affect the church's compatibility with the neighborhood. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Meriwether Neighborhood Association were notified of this proposal. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The site is accessed via two driveways from Evergreen Street and one driveway from Mississippi Avenue. The addition is being constructed over an area that contains a few parking spaces. Once construction is complete, the site will still have 187 parking spaces. The sanctuary contains 550 seats, May 23, 2002 ITEM NO.: 7 Cont. FILE NO.: Z-7215 requiring 137 parking spaces. No changes are proposed in the driveways. Spaces will be striped for handicap parking, per ADA guidelines near the entrances to the church. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: A landscaping upgrade equal to the percentage of building expansion proposed will be required. The two areas needing attention in this regard are: the interior of the vehicular use area and additional plantings along Evergreen Drive. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: 1. A 20 feet radial dedication of right-of-way is required at the corner of Mississippi and Evergreen. 6. UTILITY, FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: No Comments received. Reliant: Approved as submitted. Southwestern Bell: Approved as submitted. Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water regarding fire and domestic water requirements for this building. Due to the nature of the processes used in this facility, installation of an approved reduced pressure zone backflow preventer assembly prior to the first outlet will be required on the domestic water service. Contact Carroll Keatts, Central Arkansas Water's Cross Connection Program Administrator at 992-2431. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: No Comments received. 2 May 23, 2002 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) _ FILE NO.: Z-7215 SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (MAY 2, 2002) Dr. T. Dan Casey, pastor of the church, was present representing the application. Staff presented the item and noted additional information was needed on building heights, signage, site lighting, dumpster location, total seating capacity of the sanctuary and number of on-site parking spaces. Staff noted the presence of a 10 foot utility and drainage easement on the site and commented that the addition needed to be relocated or a variance would be needed to build over the easement. The applicant was directed to obtain written approval from all utility companies and Public Works, if a variance was needed. In response to a question from staff, Dr. Casey stated there were no other uses on the site such as a day care, private school or Mother's Day Out program. Dr. Casey stated the proposed addition would be no taller than 35 feet, that the seating capacity of the sanctuary was 550 persons and that there would be 187 on-site parking spaces after the addition was constructed. Public Works and Landscape Comments were noted. The applicant was directed to respond to staff issues no later than Wednesday, May 8, 2002. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: First Church of the Nazarene occupies the R-2 zoned, 5.2± acre tract located at 1200 N. Mississippi Avenue. The site contains a two-story church building and 190± paved parking spaces. The church proposes to construct a two-story fellowship hall/classroom addition onto the west (rear) of the existing building. The building will be used for church meetings and classes. No additional uses such as day-care, private school or Mother's Day Out program are proposed for the site. The addition will be built over an existing paved area. No changes are proposed to the driveways, parking, site lighting or signage. The dumpster will be relocated to the west side of the new addition and enclosed with required screening. Staff is supportive of the requested C.U.P. The addition is located in the middle of this large church site. Landscaping and screening will be improved. A portion of the addition extends over a 10 foot utility and drainage easement that crosses the site. There are no facilities in this easement. Staff supports a variance to allow construction over the easement. On May 8, 2002, the applicant submitted a revised site plan and cover letter that addressed staff issues and questions raised at Subdivision Committee. 3 May 23, 2002 ITEM NO.: 7 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7215 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested conditional use permit subject to compliance with the following conditions: 1. Compliance with the staff comments and conditions outlined in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of this report. 2. Compliance with the approved site plan. Staff recommends approval of a variance to permit construction of the addition over the 10 foot utility and drainage easement. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 23, 2002) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in the "Staff Recommendation" above. Staff also recommended approval of a variance to allow construction of the addition over the 10 foot easement. There was no further discussion. The item, including the variance request, was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. 4