Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-15-07-054 — Christian Family Worship Center

Request: Special Exception and Variance in the R-1 and R-1A zoning districts to permit the operation of an outdoor recreational facility in conjunction with a religious facility as follows: 1) Special Exception: To construct small golf course consisting of six golf holes, putting green for instructional training, and a modular building for golf instructor's classroom. 2) Variance: To allow grassed parking in lieu of paved.

(Note: Per applicant, golf education will not take place at the same time as the existing school or church services. Further, no outdoor lighting for the recreational use is proposed).

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The applicant is requesting a Special Exception and Variance in the R-1 and R-1A zoning districts. The Special Exception is to permit the operation of an outdoor recreational facility in conjunction with a religious facility consisting of a six hole golf course and putting green for instructional training, and a modular building for golf instructor's classroom. The variance is to allow grassed parking in lieu of paved.

Staff gave a brief overview of the request, noting that the course is design for the "short game" with no driving range. The holes are designed to allow players to work on there approach shots to the green, and their putting. Golf education will not take place at the same time as the existing school or church services. There will be no outdoor lighting for the recreational use with hours of operation set for 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be open play for the public, however the hours for this will be limited, as there is no desire that this be turned into a full-time public golf course.

The applicant noted that they would like to expand the proposed hours of operation to 7:30 a.m. with later hours during daylight savings time to take advantage of the longer daylight. They also noted that there was an existing fence around the site, and that they did not wish to place fencing along Kennedy Blvd. The also requested that landscaping be supplemental, utilizing the existing treeline to the greatest extent possible.

The BZA agreed with the expanded hours, adjusting Condition #8 to 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., and 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The applicant indicated they did not intend to operate on Sundays. Regarding the fencing and landscaping, staff clarified that Condition #19 was not intended to require fencing along Kennedy, it was intended to regulating any safety netting. The applicant noted that it was their intent to reduce the need for netting to the minimum necessary. Condition #19 was amended. The Chairman also not*