Fairhope, Alabama
At its November meeting, the city's Board of Adjustments and Appeals granted a variance to the "maximum lot coverage allowance for a principal structure" -- to allow the expansion of the church's main building located at 300 South Section Street (R -2 zoned property).
The city's zoning ordinance sets a 37% maximum coverage for R-2 and the current building covers 33% of the lot; but the proposed expansions would increase that to 41.43%: the church requested it be changed to 45%.
The existing building is approximately 46,388 square feet and the proposed additions would add another 12,000: the church owns another 112,530 square feet of nearby property being used for parking as well.
Planner Smith said that while there appeared to be no extreme circumstances in this case, it could be surmised that because there is no specific mention of lot coverage requirements for places of worship in the city's zoning ordinance, some hardship could be claimed: Staff made no recommendation and left it up to the Board.
TWO NEW BUILDINGS PROPOSED
Scott Hutchinson of HMR Engineering who represented the applicant said other cities have more specific requirements for coverage (Daphne's is 50%) and if the other church property is considered (used for parking lots) only 23% would be built upon.
He said no expansion is planned for the grassy parking lots (master plan above) -- just the two blue colored buildings on the White Avenue side.
SAFETY FOR CHILDRENS' PROGRAMS PARAMOUNT
Rapid church growth, and security concerns for pre-school and other childrens' programs were cited by various other speakers; and one group gave a 3D walk-thru video tour of the proposed expansion (video below).
Making sure there is one main entrance, "one spot to drop off and pick up children" (one way in, one way out) -- and "repurposing" other parts of the existing building for current needs is how one described the master plan.
Retired pastor Jerry Henry also emphasized safety of children: "It used not to be a problem in Fairhope ... but ... its increasingly a problem in our world ... need to keep our children and babies secure."
MET WITH NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS
Church representatives said they had already met with adjacent property owners in the neighborhood to discuss the plans and some fencing and shrubbery were to be added to allay concerns.
One Nichols Street neighbor spoke at the meeting and said he did not really oppose the proposal but already had concerns about the large scale of the existing building compared to surrounding neighborhoods: parking issues on Nichols Street and other traffic issues generally were his concerns as well.
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
Citing the long-time benefits of the church to the community, and infrequent use of the facility for worship (only Sunday, Wednesday, etc.), the Board voted unanimously to approve a 42% lot coverage variance -- not the 45% requested.
No time-frame for construction was mentioned.
At its November meeting, the city's Board of Adjustments and Appeals granted a variance to the "maximum lot coverage allowance for a principal structure" -- to allow the expansion of the church's main building located at 300 South Section Street (R -2 zoned property).
The city's zoning ordinance sets a 37% maximum coverage for R-2 and the current building covers 33% of the lot; but the proposed expansions would increase that to 41.43%: the church requested it be changed to 45%.
The existing building is approximately 46,388 square feet and the proposed additions would add another 12,000: the church owns another 112,530 square feet of nearby property being used for parking as well.
Planner Smith said that while there appeared to be no extreme circumstances in this case, it could be surmised that because there is no specific mention of lot coverage requirements for places of worship in the city's zoning ordinance, some hardship could be claimed: Staff made no recommendation and left it up to the Board.
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| 5 year master plan; new buildings in blue (north is up) |
TWO NEW BUILDINGS PROPOSED
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| Hutchinson |
He said no expansion is planned for the grassy parking lots (master plan above) -- just the two blue colored buildings on the White Avenue side.
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| Northwest corner view of new buildings |
SAFETY FOR CHILDRENS' PROGRAMS PARAMOUNT
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| presentation committee |
Making sure there is one main entrance, "one spot to drop off and pick up children" (one way in, one way out) -- and "repurposing" other parts of the existing building for current needs is how one described the master plan.
Retired pastor Jerry Henry also emphasized safety of children: "It used not to be a problem in Fairhope ... but ... its increasingly a problem in our world ... need to keep our children and babies secure."
MET WITH NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS
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| Rev. Henry |
One Nichols Street neighbor spoke at the meeting and said he did not really oppose the proposal but already had concerns about the large scale of the existing building compared to surrounding neighborhoods: parking issues on Nichols Street and other traffic issues generally were his concerns as well.
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
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| Nichols St. neighbor's concerns |
No time-frame for construction was mentioned.
Comments
could b a lot worse.
The city's tree ordinance does not apply to private residential property ... like this ... outside of the central business district.
Try listening to my neighbor's dogs bark all day and night
That is a problem!
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Romans 16:17 | NIV