Ordinance 2018-16 proposes amendments to Sections 78-266(a)(1), 78-286(a)(1), 78-306(a)(1), and 78-327(a)1 of the Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance), regarding Planning Commission consideration of reduced widths of the required arterial road buffers along Franklin Road within Service Institution (SI) zoning districts. The proposed amended language allows the Planning Commission to reduce the currently required 150-foot-wide buffer to no less than 100 feet considering certain circumstances as detailed in the Code.
At their regular meeting of October 1, 2018, the Planning Commission considered a revised preliminary master plan for the Brentwood United Methodist Church (BUMC). After discussion, the Board voted eight for, zero against with one abstention (8-0-1) to recommend a 30-day deferral of the request. It was suggested that the Church work internally, with the Board of Commissioners and City staff, to explore options to address alternative solutions to accommodate the required parking for the Church property while lessening the impact on the adjacent residential areas.
Since the October 1, 2018 meeting, staff has met to discuss possible Code amendments that might assist SI land uses to meet the parking requirements as defined within the Municipal Code and has drafted two proposed ordinances for consideration by the City Commission to address the parking provisions for SI districts.
Ordinance 2018-16 proposes amendments of the current language in various sections of the SI development standards that relate to the the width of the arterial road buffer along Franklin Road. The affected code sections all permit the Planning Commission to consider reductions in the width of the required buffers along all other arterial streets, except Franklin Road. Essentially, the proposed change removes the words "other than Franklin Road" in each affected code section. The language in Sections 78-266(a)(1), 78-286(a)(1), and 78-306(a)(1) is identical, while the language in Section 78-327(a)(1), is slightly different, however, the intent remains unchanged. The proposed revisions to the sections would allow the Planning Commission to consider reductions in the width of the arterial road buffer for SI uses along Franklin Road as is currently permitted for buffers along other arterial roads.
A reduction in the Franklin Road arterial road buffer would offer the BUMC the option to locate some of the required additional parking in front of the church. However, representatives of the church have indicated they would not plan to locate parking in this area due to the impact on several existing mature trees that would have to be removed. Note that the potential buffer reduction would provide the church some beneficial design options for the potential reserve parking lot on the former Clement property to the south at the corner of Franklin Road and Meadowlake Road.
There are currently a total of eight properties lying along Franklin Road that are zoned either SI-1, SI-2 or SI-2/SR, including the BUMC. All are currently developed, with most having all the buildings located further back from the road than 150 feet. Adoption of Ordinance 2018-16 would mean that all of these properties could seek Planning Commission approval to build closer to Franklin Road should they redevelop or expand in the future. Please see the attached spreadsheet.
Since the amendment proposes modifications to the zoning ordinance, Planning Commission review and recommendation of the changes is necessary. If the proposed ordinance passes on first reading, the Planning Commission will provide its review and recommendation of the proposed amendments at its January 8, 2019 meeting. The public hearing is scheduled for January 14, 2019. Second and final reading of the proposed ordinance is scheduled for January 28, 2019.
Note that Ordinance 2018-18 is a companion ordinance which will also be considered as part of the November 12, 2018 Board of Commissioners agenda. This proposed ordinance proposes the modification to Article VI, Section 78-459 regarding the provisions for shared parking requirements for commercial and service institution uses.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Planning and Codes Director. |