To: Aaron Rector, Interim City Manager
From: Sarah Hensley, Director of Community Development
Subject:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Consider an ordinance approving a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for Harvest Christian Academy, on the properties legally described as Lot 5, Block 1 of the B.B. Willard Subdivision, Lot 1R1A, Block 3 of the Johnson Addition, Lot 10-R, Block A of the First Baptist Church Addition, Lot 1 2A&4, Block 5 of the O. L. Sweet Addition, Lot 1A, Block A of the First Baptist Church Parking Lot Addition, Lot 1, Block 1 of the First Baptist Church Addition, and Lot 1, Block 2 of the First Baptist Church Addition; zoned Single-Family Residential - 8,400 square-foot lots (SF-8.4), Old Town Keller (OTK) and Retail (R) and addressed 325 Jessie Street, 320 Jessie Street, 145 Pearl Street, 134 North Elm Street, 201 Keller Parkway, and 225 Keller Parkway (two lots). Harvest Christian Academy, Applicant. First Baptist Church Keller, Owner. (SUP-24-0010)
Body
Background:
In May 2021 City Council approved a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for Harvest Christian Academy to operate a private school on the First Baptist Church campus. The SUP was limited to three years of operation; the school is now requesting a permanent SUP.
Site Design:
The school leases 35,000 square feet in an in an approximately 101,186 square-foot building owned by First Baptist Church at 225 Keller Parkway.
If calculated at the most intensive use, the total parking requirement for the school would be 153 spaces plus accessible parking. The church campus has just under 500 parking spaces available for use during normal school hours.
The Applicant provided a copy of the trip generation form from 2021 and the current traffic control plan for student drop off and pick up, which was one of the primary concerns from City Council in 2021.
School Details:
The school offers classes for K-12 and current enrollment is 258 students. There are 32 full-time and 15 part-time employees.
Academy students are in school from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and faculty/staff are on campus from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday with no weekend operations or activities. The academic calendar is similar to that of Keller I.S.D.
Land Use:
The subject property is zoned SF-8.4, OTK and Retail, and designated High Density-Single Family (HD-SF) and Retail/Commercial (RTC) on the city’s Future Land Use Plan (FLUP). Surrounding land use designations:
North: HD-SF
South: Mixed Use and RTC
East: HD-SF and Semi-Public (Keller Middle and Learning Center)
West: HD-SF and RTC
Summary:
Section 8.02 (F)(2) of the UDC states that when considering a SUP request, the City Council shall consider the following factors:
1) The use is harmonious and compatible with surrounding existing uses or proposed uses;
2) The activities requested by the applicant are normally associated with the permitted uses in the base district;
3) The nature of the use is reasonable and appropriate in the immediate area;
4) Any negative impact on the surrounding area has been mitigated; and
5) That any additional conditions specified ensure that the intent of the district purposes are being upheld.
Citizen Input:
On April 11, 2024, the City mailed out 92 letters of notification for this Public Hearing to all property owners within three-hundred feet (300’) of the subject site. A public hearing notice sign was posted on the site.
Staff has received no letters of support or opposition in response to this SUP request.
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation:
At the April 23, 2024, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, Commissioners unanimously recommended approval of the SUP request as presented.
Alternatives:
The City Council has the following options when considering a Specific Use Permit:
§ Approve as submitted.
§ Approve with modified or additional condition(s).
§ Table the agenda item to a specific date with clarification of intent and purpose.
§ Deny.