Columbus, Georgia

Subject: (EXCP 10-10-5343) Special Exception Use request for a place of worship with 250

or more seats located at 10211 County Line Road.

Pastor J.W. Norman on behalf of Berean Covenant Church has submitted an

application for the Special Exception Use cited above. The property is located

in an RE1 (Residential Estate 1) zoning district. The purpose of the Special

Exception Use is for a place of worship with 250 or more seats:

1. Access. - Is or will the type of street providing access to the use be adequate to serve the proposed special exception use?
   County Line Road is classified as a local road with two lanes that will provide
   
   adequate access for the proposed use. The driveway/access entering the site
   
   shall be improved in order to accommodate the flow of traffic during the hours
   
   of service for the use. Furthermore the driveway/access at the subject property
   
   will align with Grandtree Way entrance to Grandtree Subdivision, which is
   
   directly across the road.
2. Traffic and Pedestrian Safety. - 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?
   The site plan indicates one ingress/egress point, once improved to commercial
   
   standards will provide adequate flow of traffic to and from the subject
   
   property, which will contribute to pedestrian safety and easy access for
   
   emergency vehicles.
3. Adequacy of Public Facilities. - 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?
   Public facilities such as water, police and fire protection will be adequate
   
   for the proposed. However, the proposed use will utilize a septic system due to
   
   the limited availability of sewer utilities in the immediate vicinity.
4. Protection from Adverse Affects. - Are or will refuse, service, parking and loading areas on the property be located or screened to protect other properties in the area from such adverse effects as noise, light, glare or odor?
   Landscaped Parking will be provided in the front and rear of the facility.
   
   Furthermore a buffer varying in width from 15 to 20 feet along the property
   
   line bordering neighboring property owners will be put in place to screen
   
   parking. Issues dealing with details on parking, loading, external dumpsters /
   
   compactors, and light are addressed in the UDO. Refuse, service, parking and
   
   loading areas pertaining to the proposed use shall not adversely affect the
   
   surrounding properties. Noise impacts are addressed in the City Code.
5. Hours of Operation. - Will the hours and manner of operation of the special exception use have no adverse effects on other properties in the area?
   The hours of operation for this use will not have an adverse impact on other
   
   properties in the area. Services and activities on the property will take
   
   place on Wednesday evening, Thursday and Sunday.
6. Compatibility. - Will the height, size or location of the buildings or structures on the property be compatible with the height, size, character or location of buildings or other structures on neighboring properties?
   The proposed temporary structure will be 5,430 square feet, which will include
   
   approximately 150 or more seats in the sanctuary. The proposed use will be
   
   compatible with structures on neighboring properties.

The congregation is planning for future growth, at that time the proposed

facility will be 12,000 square-feet with 450 seats.



Council District: District 6 (Allen)





Sixteen (16) property owners within 300 feet of the property were notified by

mail of the proposed Special Exception Use. To date, the Planning Department

has received two comments in opposition to the request.



The Planning Advisory Commission recommended approval at the December 1st, 2010

meeting.



The Planning Department recommends that the Council conditionally approve the

request because the application for a Special Exception Use meets the criteria

for approval. The recommended conditions are as follows: 1.) There shall be a

buffer of a minimum 15 foot in width provided along the property lines bordered

by residential zoned property 2.) There shall be no day care services allowed

on site.

• Maps.pdf

cc: Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity

• Maps.pdf