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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8103 Staff AnalysisSeptember 28, 2006 ITEM NO.: 11 FILE NO.: Z-8103 NAME: Full Faith Christian Academy Day Care Center — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 5603 Fisher Street OWNER/APPLICANT: Faith in the Word Ministries, Inc./ Pastor James Alexander PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow this existing church to add a day care center. The property is zoned R-2. 1. SITE LOCATION: The site is located on the southwest corner of Woodson and Fisher, 1,000± feet north of Young Road. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD: The site is located just on the western edge of the Wakefield Neighborhood. Wakefield Park is located across Woodson, to the east. Single family homes are adjacent to the west and south and across Fisher to the north. Another church is located further south, on the east side of Woodson. Allowing this existing church to operate a small day care center, utilizing the church classrooms and facilities, should not affect the church's continued compatibility with the neighborhood. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the site, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the SWLR United for Progress and Wakefield Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: The property has two paved driveways onto Woodson Road. The parking lot is located between the front of the building and Woodson. Portions of the parking area are paved and portions are gravel. There appears to be room for 25-26 vehicles on the site. The church sanctuary holds 120 persons. The day care which will have an enrollment of 38 children with a total staff of 8, requires 11 parking spaces. There is sufficient parking and drop-off space on the site for the day care. September 28, 2006 ITEM NO_: 11 (Cont 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No Comments. 5. PUBLIC WORKS COMMENTS: No Comments. 6. UTILITY FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No Comments received. CenterPoint Energy: No Comments received. AT&T (SBC): Approved as submitted. FILE NO.: Z-8103 Water: Contact Central Arkansas Water if larger and/or additional water meter(s) are required. Fire Department: No Comments received. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is not located along a CATA Bus Route. The nearest routes are located west of the site, along Geyer Springs Road. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (SEPTEMBER 7, 2006) The applicants were present. Staff presented the item and noted little additional information was needed. In response to a question from staff, the applicants stated the day care would operate 6:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m., Monday — Friday. Staff noted Fire Marshall's approval would be required prior to the issuance of a City business license. The applicants responded that the Fire Marshall had already made an inspection and they were in the process of putting in lighted exit signs and an additional exit door. Staff informed the Committee that there would be no playground on the site, that the State Department of Human Services had approved use of Wakefield Park as a playground. Staff stated that the City's Parks Department had confirmed that use of the park was allowed. The applicants were asked to coordinate use of the park with the Parks Department. 2 September 28, 2006 ITEM NO.: 11 (Cont. FILE NO.: Z-8103 The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. AFF ANALYSIS: Faith in the Word Ministries Church is located on the R-2 zoned property at 5603 Fisher Street. The property contains a one-story, brick and frame building and a partially paved parking lot. This small church has a sanctuary that seats approximately 120 persons. The church is requesting approval of a conditional use permit to allow a day care center to be operated, utilizing the classrooms and fellowship hall. The day care will have an enrollment of 38 children, with 8 employees including the director. Days and hours of operation are Monday — Friday, 6:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. The church has an existing, monument style ground mounted sign. Signage for the day care will consist of a wall sign on the front fagade of the building. The sign is not proposed to exceed 8 square feet in area. The church does not have an approved kitchen, so lunch will be catered in. There will be no playground on the site. Outside play activities will take place in Wakefield Park, a City Park located directly across the street from the church. There is sufficient parking and drop-off space on the site to accommodate the day care. The bill of assurance does not address use issues. To staff's knowledge, there are no outstanding issues. Allowing the proposed small day care center to be operated in this existing church should have no impact on nearby properties. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the requested C.U.P. subject to final approval by the Fire Marshall's office. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (SEPTEMBER 28, 2006) Reverend and Mrs. James Alexander were present, representing the application. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of approval. The Alexanders addressed the Commission in support of the application. They noted that there was a petition in support of the application. They also explained the use of the park for a playground area. 3 September 28, 2006 EM NO.: 11 (Cont. NO.: Z-8103 Commissioner Yates asked about crossing Woodson Street with the children. Mrs. Alexander explained that there would be additional staff during the playground times. Staff noted that the applicant could contact Public Works and request a crosswalk at the corner of Fisher and Woodson. Chairman Stebbins asked about another day care use to the south. Staff noted no knowledge of the day care. Reverend Alexander explained that the property in question was vacant. Commissioner Laha asked about the size of the property and parking. Staff explained that there was partially paved parking between the church building and Woodson Street. Commissioner Laha expressed concern with the safety of children crossing the street to the park. Commissioner Yates explained that he visited the property and there was sufficient space for parking and drop-off/pick- up of children. There was a motion to approve the application as recommended by staff. The motion passed by a vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay and 2 absent. The application was approved. 4