Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-18-12-162 — REV. RAUL DAVILA FOR IGLESIA DE DIOS PENTECOSTAL DE UNCION Y PODER ASSEMBLIES OF GOD INC

Request: Special Exception and Variance in the R-1A and R-2 zoning districts as follows: 1) Special Exception to permit a school with 12 students in Phase I, and up to 72 students in Phase II. 2) Variance to allow unpaved parking spaces in lieu of paved.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: Staff gave a presentation on the case covering the location of the property, the site plan, and photos of the site. A lawyer representing another school spoke against the application, stating that there are other schools in the area, the use is not consistent with the zoning, it is not aesthetically pleasing, and will cause additional traffic. The owner of another school spoke against the application, stating that they are located across the street and pay a large amount of property taxes, while the church is exempt. The applicant stated that they are not increasing the square footage or reducing parking, and that they have conducted a parking study, which shows that there is a lot of parking available in front of the subject site. The BZA noted that the neighbors at the community meeting were concerned about traffic and quality of life, and they felt their needs were addressed at the meeting. The BZA stated that competition and saturation cannot be considered in the approval process. Staff received 5 commentaries in favor of the application, and none in opposition to the application. The BZA approved the Special Exception.