To: Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Amber Washington, Planner I
Subject:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Consider a request for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to operate Mount Christian Academy, a private K-12 school within the existing Mount Gilead Baptist Church, on approximately 7.99 acres located on the west side of Keller Smithfield Road, at the intersection of Keller Smithfield Road and Ottinger Road, legally described as Lot 1, Block A of the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Addition, zoned Single-Family 36,000 minimum square-foot lots (SF-36) and addressed 860 Keller Smithfield Road. Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Owner. Karen Otto, Applicant. (SUP-23-0018).
Background:
Mount Gilead Baptist Church requests a Specific Use Permit to open and operate a private K-12 college preparatory/co-op Christian school at their existing church campus. Mount Christian Academy will provide Christian-focused learning for approximately 60 students on the second floor of the church’s Children’s Education Building, with no need to expand existing buildings. The school will not require any additional structures or facilities to open and operate MCA.
Site Design:
MCA will operate on the second floor of the Children’s Building. There is one entrance and parking lot off Bancroft Road, two entrances and parking lots off Keller Smithfield Road, and one entrance and parking lot off Oak Hill Road. The church campus has 285 parking spaces.
Hours of Operation:
Students will be on site Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The church also operates a preschool with a maximum enrollment of 100 students, with hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The proposed hours for MCA are staggered by at least 30 minutes to not interfere with preschool traffic.
Trip Generation:
As part of the SUP application, the church provided a Trip Generation Form which has been reviewed by the Public Works department. While there are no concerns with the additional traffic to and from the church per the City Engineer, student guardians will be required to park in the parking lot during drop off and pick up. Drivers will not be permitted to wait in a stacking lane, to avoid traffic congestion or issues with ingress and egress.
Summary:
Section 8.02 (F)(2) of the UDC states that when considering a SUP request, the Planning and Zoning Commission 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 August 10, 2023, the City mailed out 25 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.
The church also mailed out its own letters to several of the surrounding neighbors.
As of August 22, 2023, staff has received a petition of opposition with signatures from 9 properties within the 200’ buffer. The 9 properties make up 23.82% of the land within the 200’ buffer, so this request will require a supermajority vote of City Council to be approved.
Staff also received two emails from residents outside the 300’ buffer who stated their concern with added traffic.
Alternatives:
The Planning and Zoning Commission has the following options when considering a Specific Use Permit:
§ Recommend approval as submitted.
§ Recommend approval with modified or additional condition(s).
§ Table the agenda item to a specific date with clarification of intent and purpose.
§ Recommend denial.
City Council Action:
If the Planning and Zoning Commission takes action and makes a recommendation on this agenda item, then this Specific Use Permit application will be scheduled for City Council action on September 19, 2023.
Supporting Documents:
§ Aerial and Zoning Maps
§ Staff Attachment
§ Public Response