AGENDA #4j
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Chapel Hill Bible Church Special Use Permit – Request to Expand Parking
DATE: May 13, 2002
The attached Resolution would approve the request from Chapel Hill Bible Church to expand the parking at the Erwin Road/Sage Road site. A condition of the 1998 Special Use Permit required that the Town Council authorize expansion of the parking lot beyond 500 spaces.
The following provides a chronology of events for this project:
October 12, 1998 The Town Council approved a Special Use Permit for the Chapel Hill Bible Church. A copy of the Special Use Permit is attached. The Permit authorized:
¨ 2,400-seat sanctuary,
¨ 150,000 square feet of total floor area, and
¨ 803 parking spaces (500 parking spaces authorized for construction initially. The remaining 303 parking spaces may be subsequently constructed upon demonstration to the Town Council that need for additional spaces exists, followed by a Council resolution approving construction of additional parking.)
The Permit stated that demonstration of need was to take the form of surveys of lot utilization, recorded incidence of the lot being full, and documentation of overflow parking on adjacent streets/properties.
May 19, 1999 A Zoning Compliance Permit, authorizing construction, was issued for Phase I. The Phase I Final Plans included construction of 487 parking spaces.
We note that a report had previously been brought to Council’s attention about a University Park and Ride Lot at this location (March 25, 2002). This request for expansion of the parking lot is not related to the Park and Ride discussion. A change to include a Park and Ride Lot at the Church would require Council approval of a Special Use Permit Modification.
During consideration of the Special Use Permit in 1998, parking was an issue. In 1998, the church application proposed a total of 860 parking spaces on the site. The Development Ordinance required that a minimum of 600 spaces be provided for the development, which proposed a 2,400-seat sanctuary at full build-out (the Ordinance requires one parking space per four seats in the sanctuary).
The church provided information about the additional floor area proposed beyond sanctuary use, including classrooms and offices, to justify the number of parking spaces proposed beyond the minimum requirement. The approved Special Use Permit included stipulations to reduce the amount of parking spaces on the site to a maximum of 803 spaces, with parking eliminated in two areas to preserve existing vegetation with an added requirement that parking not be expanded beyond 500 spaces without Town Council approval.
The 1998 Special Use Permit stated that demonstration of need of the remaining 303 parking spaces (803 spaces – 500 spaces = 303) was to take the form of surveys of lot utilization, recorded incidence of the lot being full, and documentation of overflow parking on adjacent streets/properties. The church has provided documentation. Please refer to the attached information from the Bible Church representatives.
We believe that the documentation is compelling. This request is before the Town Council.
Manager’s Recommendation: We recommend that the Council adopt the attached Resolution, approving the request for the remainder of the parking subject to Town Manager approval of the final plans for the Phase II expansion.
1. 1998 Special Use Permit (p.4).
2. April 29, 2002 Request from the Chapel Hill Bible Church (p. 7).
(Manager’s Recommendation)
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A REQUEST FOR AN EXPANSION OF PARKING AT CHAPEL HILL BIBLE CHURCH (2002-05-13/R-9)
WHEREAS, Chapel Hill Bible Church has requested an expansion of the parking at the Sage Road/Erwin Road Place of Worship; and
WHEREAS, a term of the October 12, 1998 Special Use Permit required Council to make a determination of need before more than 500 parking spaces could be provided on site ; and
WHEREAS, the permit holder submitted the necessary documentation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council approves the request of Chapel Hill Bible Church for the parking lot expansion subject to Town Manager approval of the Phase II final plans.
This the 13th day of May, 2002.