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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7982 Staff AnalysisJanuary 19, 2006 ITEM NO.: 11 FILE NO.: Z-7982 NAME: Oak Forest United Methodist Church — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 2415 Fair Park Blvd. OWNER/APPLICANT: Trustees of the Oak Forest United Methodist Church/ Randy Frazier PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow a residential structure on this R-3 zoned church site to be used for a neighborhood health clinic ministry. 1. SITE LOCATION: The church is located on the east side of Fair Park Blvd., between 24th and 25th Streets. The proposed clinic is to be operated out of the structure at 2404 Tyler Street, behind the main church building. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The church has been located in this residential neighborhood for many years. This C.U.P. serves two purposes; to bring the existing church into zoning compliance and to allow the additional health care ministry. No building or parking expansions are proposed. Neither action will affect the church's continued compatibility with the neighborhood. All owners of property located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet of the site who could be identified and the Oak Forest, Curran Conway, Oak Forest ACORN and Oak Forest Initiative Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: No changes are being proposed to the existing drives or parking. Visitors to the proposed health clinic will park in the adjacent, existing church parking lot. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No comments, all improvements existing. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No Comments. January 19, 2006 ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont. 6. UTILITY FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available, not adversely affected. Entergy: No Comments received. CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received. Southwestern Bell: No Comments received. LE NO.: Z-7982 Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are needed. Fire Department: Contact Fire Marshall for specific requirements for converting this residential structure into the proposed use. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is located on a CATA bus route. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (DECEMBER 22, 2005) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted that additional information was needed regarding signage and days and hours of operation of the proposed health clinic. The committee's discussion focused on the issue of days and hours of operation. It was felt that a neighborhood clinic operating for 3-4 hours, 3 days a week could be an appropriate ancillary ministry of the church but a clinic that operated for more hours and days might not be viewed as appropriate. The applicant stated he would try to tie -down the days and hours of operation. The applicant was advised to provide a response by Wednesday, December 28, 2005. The committee forwarded the item to the full Commission. STAFF ANALYSIS: Oak Forest United Methodist Church occupies the R-3 zoned property at 2415 Fair Park Blvd. The church owns the block bounded by Fair Park Blvd., Tyler, West 24th and West 25th Streets other than the two lots at the northeast corner of the block. The church has existed at this site for many years, predating the requirement of a conditional use permit. The church is requesting approval of a C.U.P. for two purposes. First, to bring the existing church into compliance with the Zoning Ordinance requirement of a C.U.P. Second, to add a neighborhood 2 January 19, 2006 ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont.) FILE NO.: Z-7982 health ministry using the structure at 2404 Tyler Street. No changes are proposed to the church activities, operations and uses. As with other churches, its use will continue to be on Sundays with various church related activities throughout the week. No additional buildings or parking are proposed. The bill of assurance for Cherry and Cox Addition does not address use issues. The church proposes to add a neighborhood health center ministry, using the structure at 2404 S. Tyler Street. This ministry is to be conducted in partnership with Fellowship Bible Church who will provide the financial resources to prepare the structure for initial operations and serve initially as the primary source for recruiting funds for ongoing operations. A Board will be formed that will have responsibility for the operation of the health clinic ministry. The Board will initially include representation from the two churches with an openness to include representation from other churches in the neighborhood who might want to actively participate in the partnership. All partnering churches will be invited to provide volunteers to serve in operation of the clinic. The purpose of the neighborhood health center is to provide ministry to the neighborhood; including health education classes, life skills classes and limited medical care. It will not be a primary care clinic or other comprehensive medical care clinic. The structure will also be used for other routine church activities, classes and religious uses. The health center will have limited hours throughout the week depending on the needs of the neighborhood and availability of volunteers. The church initially anticipates that it will operate 3 days a week for approximately 4 hours a day beginning no earlier than 4:30 p.m. Signage for the overall church property will remain the same as it is now. A sign, no larger than 3'X 5', will be placed on the fagade of the building at 2404 Tyler Street identifying it as a neighborhood health center. Patrons will use the existing church parking lot which is located adjacent to the south. Directional signs in the parking area will indicate the direction to the building and designated parking for its patrons. Staff is supportive of the requested C.U.P. on both levels; to recognize the existing church and to add the health care ministry. The new ministry should prove to be an asset to the neighborhood. Its limited days and hours of operation should assure that the new use does not negatively impact surrounding residents. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P. subject to compliance with the following conditions: Days and hours of operation of the health clinic are to be limited to 3 days a week for no more than 4 hours each day beginning at 4:30 p.m. as proposed by the applicant. 3 January 19, 2006 ITEM NO.: 11 Cont. FILE NO.: Z-7982 2. Signage on the health clinic is to be limited to the 3'X 5' wall sign as proposed by the applicant. 3. Compliance with any applicable building code, fire department and utility requirements for conversion of this residential structure into the proposed health clinic use. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JANUARY 19, 2006) 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. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff, including all comments and conditions. The vote was 10 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. After the Consent Agenda portion of the hearing was closed, an individual approached staff and turned in a card in opposition to the item. E