Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-16-07-079 — ORLANDO COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH

Request: Special Exceptions and Variances in the R-1 zoning district as follows: 1) Special Exception: To permit expansion of the sanctuary to 290 seats; 2) Special Exception: To add 1,785 sq. ft. floor area to the existing sanctuary building; 3) Special Exception: To add 2,485 sq. ft. of floor area to the existing fellowship hall/classroom/daycare building; 4) Variance: To permit the addition to the sanctuary and the existing sanctuary building to have a side street setback of 5 ft. in lieu or 15 ft.; and, 5) Variance: To allow 65 of the required 97 parking spaces to be grassed in lieu of paved with paved drive aisles. (Note: The applicant submitted 31 letters in support of the requests).

Decision: Approved

Hearing: Staff explained the phasing plan, noting that in Phases II and III, the church would use the fellowship hall as the sanctuary while the sanctuary was under renovation/expansion. At that time, they would use the five (5) modular building approved in April 2015, for classrooms; a day care; and, to house the food pantry. Once Phase III was completed, the modular units would be removed from the site. Finally, staff noted that the church had letters of support from nearly thirty (30) neighboring property owners. The applicant was in agreement with the conditions recommended by staff. However, there was a concern regarding the time limit for use of the portables. It was explained that the current conditions allow the Zoning Manager to grant one six (6) month extension. After that, the church would need to return to the BZA to request an extension, if necessary. There being no one in attendance to speak for or against the application, the public hearing was closed. The BZA concluded that the proposed plan and phasing plan would be beneficial to the community.