Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-04-05-126 — Plymouth Church of Christ

Request: Special Exception in R-1 (single family-5,000 sq. ft. lots) zone to expand existing religious use facility by constructing new 7,820 sq. ft. sanctuary and Variance to allow unpaved parking in lieu of paved.

BZA Approved SE w/o conditions but approved the Variance w/conditions.

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The Staff Report and Recommendation is located on Pages____. The Plymouth Church of Christ has existed on this property for 50 years. They want to construct a new sanctuary on the vacant land they own adjacent to the existing church. There is an existing 6 foot high block wall along most of the northern property line. The wall acts as a noise and visual buffer to the homes to the north. The site is 2.2 acres and large enough to meet all site development standards. Staff concluded this request was a logical extension of the existing religious use on-site. The applicant, his engineer and members of the congregation were present. They spoke in favor of the request. Mr. Wes Benton, who represents Homes in Partnership, informed the BZA his organization is planning on building new homes on a parcel to the east and he desired a wall along that side of the property. He also had concerns about noise and drainage impacts to his property. The applicant informed the BZA he was willing to meet the code but the code does not require a block wall. The BZA compromised and required a 6 foot high wooden fence along the eastern line. They advised Mr. Benton that all retention and drainage issues will be addressed by the Public Works Division at the time of permitting. Other than Mr. Benton, there was no opposition.