Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-04-04-121 — Real Hope Christian Center

Request: Special Exception in R-3 (multifamily) zone to operate residential care facility (group home for destitute men) and Variance to allow 2 parking spaces in lieu of 9 spaces. (NOTE: Applicant wants to use existing one story structure to house, teach and counsel up to 12 male adults. (No new construction is proposed).

Decision: Denied

Hearing: "The Staff Report and Recommendation is located on Pages_____. Staff presented an overview of the case. The Code Enforcement Division issued a violation notice to this property owner for operating a group home for destitute men without zoning approval. Staff had concerns about land use compatibility and the severity of the parking variance. Staff concluded the request did not meet the zoning variance criteria. The applicant explained the organization's goal and objectives. The president of the organization resides in the apartments adjacent to the site. He indicated he was very familiar with the social issues the area residents are facing. The purpose of his organization is to assist males who are trying to find employment and housing and overcome substance abuse. Three (3) area residents spoke in opposition. They did not feel the use was compatible with the area and would present a safety concern to the children and students of the community. The BZA concluded the request did not comply with both the Special Exception criteria and the zoning variance criteria. Staff received 24 commentaries in opposition to this request."