Watkinsville First Baptist Church Building and Parking Masterplan Norton Road & Simonton Bridge Road Oconee County Georgia Special Use Approval A-1 CUP to A-1 with Special Use Approval Total Site Area for consideration: 17.70 Acres Tax Parcel #s: C-03-028AB, C-04-005D, C-03-046, C-03-046A, C-03-045H Submittal Date: December 09, 2016 Narrative Watkinsville First Baptist Church is located at 1610 Simonton Bridge Road with the primary facility on parcel C-03-028AB. In recent years, the Church has acquired five adjoining parcels as listed above. These parcels combined equal a total land area of 19.19 acres. A portion of TP# C-04-005D, 1.49 acres, is located within the City of Watkinsville and is not included as part of this Special Use Approval request. The total area for this request totals 17.70 acres and is proposed to be consolidated upon approval of the Special Use Approval request described below. The combined site is currently zoned A-1 with parcels C-03-028AB and C-04-005D covered under a recent Special Use Approval in 2006. The proposed zoning for the combined site is A-1 CUP with Special Use Approval described in the narrative below and further depicted in the plans attached with this application. The Church is proposing a two-phase construction masterplan as part of the Special Use Approval request. Phase 1 would include a new 35,000 square foot sanctuary and classroom structure on the southeast portion of the site central to existing building structures already on campus. No major parking improvements would be constructed as part of Phase 1. Construction of Phase 1 is projected to start Mid 2017 and finish Mid 2018. Phase 2 depicts the full buildout of the site and may be constructed in minor phases. Construction for this phase would include a new classroom building on the western end of the site with expansions to the Sanctuary, Children s Building, and Life Building for a total of 55,000 square feet of additional building structures. With the building expansions, an additional 208 parking spaces are planned to be constructed. This property is being planned and developed by Watkinsville First Baptist Church, and Breedlove Land Planning has been engaged to act as agent and designer in the preparation of the necessary rezoning documentation associated with Special Use Approval modification. The Development The modified Special Use Approval concept plan that accompanies this narrative illustrates the existing structures and associated parking and driveways. An expanded existing detention pond in the northern section of the plot and underground detention on the eastern end of the plot were designed in anticipation of the additional runoff from the proposed building s increase in impervious area. This use is consistent with the existing use of the site and coincides with the institutional zone as identified on Oconee County s 2030 Future Land Use Map. 15 Simpson St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 1551 Jennings Mill Rd. Suite 1600A., Watkinsville, GA 30677 770-483-1173 www.landplanning.net
General Data Total Project Area: Area within City of Watkinsville: Total Area considered for Special Use Approval: 19.19 acres 1.49 acres 17.70 acres Impervious Area (Existing): Impervious Area (Existing + Phase 1): Impervious Area (Existing + Phase 1 & 2): Parking Available: Min. Required Parking per code: Existing Total Building Area: 7.20 acres 7.50 acres 9.70 acres 569 spaces (existing) 539 spaces (after Phase 1, 30 spaces removed) 747 spaces (after Phase 2, 208 spaces added) 1 space per 4 seats = 900 seats/4 = 225 spaces 58,350 SF Proposed Building Size: 35,000 SF (Phase 1) 52,650 SF* (Phase 2) *includes demolition of two existing structures Final Buildout Building Area: 146,000 SF (Existing + Phase 1 + Phase 2) Buildings There is a total of 58,350 square feet of existing building structures between all parcels included in this Special Use Approval request. The main parcel (C-03-028A) includes the original Chapel, Life Building (Gym), and Children s Ministry Building. The Chapel is used for Sunday morning services and also has classroom and office space. The Life Building is used for Sunday morning services, Wednesday night events, special events, and also has meeting space in a second story partition. The Children s Ministry building includes all of the classrooms and administrative spaces associated with the entire children s ministry. In addition to these structures, there are existing houses on two adjacent parcels owned by the Church, C-03-045H and C-03-046. The breakdown of existing buildings is provided below: Chapel = 19,800 SF Life Building (Gym) = 11,750 SF Children s Building = 20,900 SF Existing House (C-03-045H) = 3,800 SF Exiting House (C-03-046) = 2,100 SF Total Existing Building SF = 58,350 SF Phase 1 includes a 35,000 SF new sanctuary building with classrooms. The building will accommodate a total of 900 seats to bring services all into one building for each service. The building will be used for Sunday service, Wednesday service, and occasional large gatherings hosted by the church. 2 P a g e
Phase 2 (masterplan buildout) includes several building additions to maximize the buildout of the current campus. The concept plan that accompanies this narrative includes the following buildings as part of Phase 2: New Classroom Building = 26,200 SF Life Building Interior Buildout = 7,450 SF Chapel Addition = 2,500 SF Children s Building Addition = 10,000 SF Corridor Infill between Buildings = 12,400 SF House Demolition on Parcel C-03-046 = -2,100 SF House Demolition on Parcel C-03-045H = -3,800 SF Total Building SF Added in Phase 2 = 52,650 SF Total Building Square Footage at Buildout = 58,350 SF (Existing) + 35,000 SF (Phase 1) + 52,650 SF (Phase 2) = 146,000 SF The Site The subject 19.19-acre site fronts on Norton Road and Simonton Bridge Road and is one of five tax parcels owned by Watkinsville First Baptist Church. The Church intends to combine all parcels into one single parcel upon approval of this Special Use Approval request. The north half of the site gently slopes from south to north to an existing detention pond near the intersection of Simonton Bridge Road and Norton Road. The southeastern parcel slopes from east to west to an existing detention pond along the west property boundary. The southwestern parcels slope from north to south to a low point near the intersection of Simonton Bridge Road and Camden Park Drive. The site is developed with a sanctuary, classrooms, gymnasium, associated parking areas, and landscaping. Where there is no developed area, the site is grassed. Water Supply Existing water taps and water lines will be utilized to serve this proposed building. Sewage Disposal The existing commercial septic system will be expanded to accommodate the proposed 35,000 square foot Sanctuary building proposed in Phase 1. Preliminary design plans were reviewed with Oconee County Environmental health in early 2016 prior to construction of the parking lot which was recently completed in November 2016. Phase 2 will be evaluated at the time construction plans are prepared to determine if onsite treatment will be required or if sewer has become available in the Calls Creek basin. Surface Water Drainage The existing storm water management systems will be utilized to the greatest extend possible to accommodate the proposed new buildings with each phase. Phase 1 will require no additional modifications to onsite storm water management systems since all provisions were made to accommodate this construction as part of a 2016 parking lot expansion project. Phase 2 will require an additional storm water management facility near the southern corner of the site. The proposed development will be constructed in compliance with the storm-water management ordinances in effect at the time of construction plans approval. 3 P a g e
Access No additional access to surrounding roads will be required with the construction of either phase of work. The existing site currently has three points of ingress and egress. The main entry drive on Simonton Bridge Road (southern most access point) is planned to be reconstructed with Phase 2 work. When this is completed, additional traffic calming components (such as decel lane and accel taper) will be added as required at the time of permit. As summarized in the Traffic Impact Study (TIA) provided with this submittal, there will be no long term impacts with the construction of Phase 1. Phase 2 will be studied at a later date in line with construction documents as agreed to with Oconee County Public Works. Traffic The additional buildings in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 will continue to predominately generate traffic on Sundays and Wednesdays. Sunday services occur three times a day (900, 1015, and 1130am) and will generate the majority of the traffic for the site and surrounding areas. Wednesday night consists of one service that starts at 630pm. For the purposes of Phase 1 only, a traffic impact analysis, dated November 21, 2016, has been performed by Williams & Associates to assess the impact of the new 35,000 square foot building addition. The scope of the report was reviewed and approved with Oconee County Public Works prior to completion. In brief summary, all studied intersections were determined to operate at acceptable levels after the developments of Phase 1. The full report has been included as a separate item with this submittal for further review. Schedule As previously mentioned, this project will be constructed in at least two separate phases. Phase 1, which includes the new 35,000 square foot Sanctuary building, is set to start construction June 2017 and be completed June 2018. Phase 2 is the masterplan buildout for the site and has no set date for construction at the time of this submittal. It is projected that components of this masterplan would be constructed in the five to ten-year range. Maintenance of Common Areas No additional common areas are proposed on this site. All maintenance of the site is the responsibility of Watkinsville First Baptist Church. Buffers There are no environmental areas or corridors located on this site, therefore there are no environmental buffers. Existing landscape buffers will be maintained as required by county ordinances, and any landscape buffers required at the time of permitting each phase will be installed. Utilities The proposed building will connect to existing utilities on site, and if possible, utilities will be located underground. Proposed utilities are power, water, telephone, and cable TV & internet access. 4 P a g e
Common Areas No additional common areas are proposed on this site. Public & Semi-Public Areas No additional easements, Rights-of-Way, or other public/semi-public areas are proposed. Outdoor Lighting All existing site lighting will be utilized. If any additional lighting is installed it will be oriented inward, down, and away from any neighboring residential areas. Garbage Collection Garbage collection is currently and will continue to be handled by private contract service. Amenities There are no amenities proposed with this request. Zoning Impact Analysis (Sec. 1207.02) a. Will the proposed special use be consistent with the stated purpose of the zoning district in which it will be located? Yes. The property is currently zoned A-1 with special use approval for a portion of the entire property approved for the current Church configuration. Churches are typically considered suitable secondary uses in the A-1 zoning district. b. Is the proposed special use compatible with the goals, objectives, purpose and intent of the Community Agenda? Yes, approval of this request will allow for the expansion of a local church serving the surrounding community and should be compatible with the Future Land Use plans, Suburban Living as a compatible secondary land use. c. Will the establishment of the special use impede the normal and orderly development of surrounding property for uses predominate in the area? No, development will be an expansion of the current church campus and is not expected to impede normal and orderly development of the surrounding properties which are predominantly residential. d. Is the location and character of the proposed special use consistent with a desirable pattern of development for the locality in general? Yes. The church has existed and grown in this location for over 40 years. e. Is or will the type of street providing access to the use be adequate to serve the proposed special use? Yes. As outlined in the traffic impact study provided with this application, there are no adverse impacts expected from the expansion of the church property included with this application. Access from Simonton Bridge Road and Norton Road provide adequate access to the site through multiple ingress/egress points. f. 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? Yes. There are currently two points of ingress/egress off of Simonton Bridge Road and one point of ingress/egress off of Norton Road. The traffic impact study does not identify any issues with the current configuration based on recent traffic data. Access for emergency vehicles will be provided to all structures, existing and proposed. g. Are or will public facilities such as schools, water or sewer utilities, and police or fire protection be adequate to serve the special use? Yes. Existing utilities area adequate to support the requested special use. Schools should not be impacted by this request, and demand for police/fire protection will be unchanged from the current use of the property. 5 P a g e
h. 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? Yes. New parking against incompatible uses will be screened through the use of landscaping/screening in accordance with the latest Oconee County Development Code at the time of site development submittals. Lighting will be designed to minimize light pollution onto adjacent properties. Refuse areas and septic fields are currently located along the border with the railroad and Norton Road and are not immediately adjacent to residential uses. i. Will the hours and manner of operation of the special use have no adverse effects on other properties in the area? Yes. The hours of operation for the Church will not change and typically have little or no impact to neighboring properties. Use of the property will continue to be primarily on Sunday with Wednesday night services during the week. j. Will the height, size or location of the buildings or other structures on the property be compatible with the height, size or location of buildings or other structures on neighboring properties? Yes. The proposed building will be similar in architectural style and appearance of the existing building on the Church campus. Statement of Disclosure (1206.03.a & b) At the time of this application and to the best knowledge of both the Owner (Watkinsville First Baptist Church) and the Applicant (Kyle Webb, Breedlove Land Planning), no local government official, including members of the Planning Commission and members of the Board of Commissioners, have a property interest in any real property affected by this Special Use Approval request or have a financial interest in any business entity which has a property interest, or has a member of his family having such an interest. Neither the Applicant or the Owner, within two years immediately preceding the filing of this application for the Special Use Approval, have made campaign contributions or made gifts aggregating $250.00 or more to a local government official involved in the rezoning action. Applicant Name: Kyle Webb, P.E. Applicant Company: Breedlove Land Planning, Inc. Applicant Signature: Date: January 5th, 2017 6 P a g e