Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Website: www.columbusga.gov/planning


9/6/2005
Honorable Mayor and Councilors
City Manager
City Attorney
Clerk of Council

Subject: (ZC0507-04) Special Exception Use to operate a daycare center at 7300

Whittlesey Boulevard.



The applicant is requesting a Special Exception Use to operate a daycare center

at the address above. A total of 180 students are expected to attend the

daycare center. The daycare center will consist of young children ages 0-4

years old. An existing structure will be utilized on the site to operate the

daycare center. The existing building includes twelve classrooms. The daycare

center will operate as a Type III under the Columbus Unified Development

Ordinance. In a residentially zoned district, a daycare center, Type III must

provide more than 18 clients and be combined with a public facility. This

daycare center will be combined with a place of worship. This type of use is

allowed on a case-by-case basis with recommendations from Planning Advisory

Commission and Planning Division, and final approval from City Council.





STAFF REPORT





Applicant: North Highland Assembly of God

Robert French



Owner: SAME AS ABOVE



Acreage: 23.06 Acres (Includes Church)



Current Zoning Classification: SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1)



Current Use of Property: Church





Planning Division

Recommendation: Conditional Approval based on the fact that it

is compatible with existing land-uses. Street access from Spring Lake

subdivision shall not be permitted during operating hours of the daycare

center. The existing gate connecting Sweetbriar Way and the church

property shall be closed during operating hours of the daycare center.



Planning Adivisory Commission Conditional Approval based on the fact that it

is Recommendation: compatible with existing land-uses.

Street access shall be prohibited from Sweetbriar Way during operating

hours of the daycare center.



General Use: Planning District 2

Land Use Designation: Public & Education



Environmental Impacts: The property does not lie within a floodway or

floodplain area.



Surrounding Zoning: North ? SFR1 (Single Family Residential ?1)

South ? SFR3 (Single Family Residential ?3)

East ? RO (Residential Office)

West ?SFR1 (Single Family Residential ?1)



Traffic Impact: The proposed project is not expected to have a

negative impact on the transportation network. The current

traffic count is 14,480 trips per day and will increase to 14,847

trips per day for Moon Road. The transportation estimate is

based on the network only and does not include intersection or traffic

signal impacts. The Level of Service will remain at D (14,200 trips per

day) for Moon Road.



Reasonableness of Request: The proposed use is consistent with the future

land use map of the 2003 Columbus Comprehensive Plan





Attitude of Property Owners: Forty-five (45) property owners were notified by

letter of the special exception use request. The Planning Division

received one comment opposing the operation of the daycare center.







Special Exception Use Criteria





1. Is or will the type of street providing access to the use be adequate to

serve the proposed special exception use?



Whittlesey Boulevard will provide adequate street access to the proposed

special exception use. However, street access from Sweetbriar Way is

prohibited. Sweetbriar Way serves as a residential street for Spring Lake

Subdivision. Any additional vehicles that travel this route may impede

residential traffic flow within this subdivision. Thus, creating congestion

problems, particularly during peak hours. More than ample traffic capacity

exists from Whittlesey Boulevard.



2. Is or will access into and out of the property be adequate to provide for

traffic and pedestrian safety, the anticipated volume of traffic flow, and

access by emergency vehicles?





Egress and ingress is not expected to have a negative effect on the

transportation network from Whittlesey Boulevard. The daycare anticipates a

moderate flow of vehicular traffic.



3. Are or will public facilities such as schools, water or sewer utilities and

police or fire protection be adequate to serve the special exception use?



The property is served by all city services.



4. Are or will refuse, service, parking and loading areas on the property be

located or screened to protect other properties in the area from adverse

effects as noise, light, glare or odor?



The existing structure includes a pick-up and drop-off area, an adequate amount

of parking spaces, lighting and refuse. An existing buffer separates the

daycare center from the residential subdivision.



5. Will the hours of manner of operation of the special exception use have no

adverse effects on other properties in the area?



The primary hours of operation will be from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm (Monday ?

Friday). An adverse effect may possibly occur on residents of Sweetbriar Way

due to traffic congestion. Planning Division strongly recommends conditional

approval to prohibit street access from Sweetbriar Way during hours of

operation for the daycare center in order to eliminate traffic through Spring

Lake Subdivision and reduce a negative impact on the surrounding properties.



6. Will the height, size or location of the buildings or other structures on

the property be compatible with the height, size, character or location of

buildings or other structures on neighboring properties?



No modifications will be made to the exterior of the building. This site is

expected to meet State of Georgia certification requirements and Columbus Code

and Regulations for a daycare center and private school.

























Respectfully,

Rick Jones, AICP
Director, Planning Department



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