Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-02-04-028 — Windermere Union Church

Request: Special Exception in R-CE (single family 1 acre lots) zone for church use and attendant educational facilities (sanctuary, administrative building, pre-school building, fellowship hall and gymnasium) and Variances as follows: 1. To construct steeple up to 50 ft. in height in lieu of 45 ft.; 2. To allow for unpaved parking areas in lieu of paved.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The Staff Report and Recommendation is located on Pages 21, 22 and 23. The applicant wants to relocate their facility to this site from downtown Winderemere. The uses will include a sanctuary, administration building, a pre-school, a gymnasium and recreational fields. The applicant stated this church has been serving the community for 86 years. They need to expand. They have a contract to purchase this site to accommodate their future needs. The applicant requested changes to the staff conditions. Discussion ensued about the changes. Five surrounding residents spoke in opposition to the request. They felt the request was too intense for this area. Further, they expressed concerns about the traffic conditions on Park Ridge Gotha Road. One resident requested the BZA impose additional conditions of approval. However, some of the conditions were technical issues (i.e., connection to sewer, traffic improvements, stormwater treatment) which would be addressed during the permitting of this project. The BZA felt the staff conditions provided protection from any adverse impacts to the surrounding property owners. The BZA felt the conditions protected against noise and visual impacts. Discussion ensued about temporary structures. The BZA refused to allow any temporary structures. The applicant indicated there was no value in having a second community meeting because the parties cannot come to an agreement that would satisfy both parties. Staff received 5 commentaries in favor and 7 in opposition.