Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-02-05-035 — Church of Perfect Liberty

Request: Special Exception in R-1A (single family-7500 sq. ft. lots) zone to convert existing single family residence for religious organization and meeting place.

Decision: Denied

Hearing: The Staff Report and Recommendation is located on pages _____ Several dozen residents from the Lake Cain/Lake Marsha community attended the hearing in opposition to this request. Also present in opposition were members and officers from the board of directors with the Bay Springs Homeowner's Association. Petitions and letters/commentaries were entered into record carrying over 200 signatures in opposition. Thirteen residents addressed the BZA in opposition to the request. The opposition stated this is strictly a residential neighborhood, and the introduction of any institutional or commercial type use would devalue their homes. They told the BZA that during the time the church was in operation, they had problems with noise, dust generated from vehicular parking and movement in the front yard, and heavy traffic with anywhere from 15 to 30 vehicles visiting the property at one time. They stated this additional traffic will contribute to an already existing safety problem in the neighborhood. The opposition stated the community is in the process of upgrading their neighborhoods, and that introducing a nonresidential use would be contrary to that effort. It was noted by the opposition that this is not a use that will serve the community as the attendees do not reside in the area. They pointed out that there are plenty of available properties in the area that are more suitable for church use, and there are many existing institutional uses that could lease space to them for their church services. The BZA denied the request in that the proposed church use would be incompatible with the residential nature and character of the area.