SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a Zoning Atlas Amendment from the Institutional (I) District to the Commercial (C) District for 407 South Saturn Avenue and pass Ordinance 9766-24 on first reading. (REZ2024-02001)
Body
SUMMARY:
This Zoning Atlas Amendment involves two parcels of land totaling a 2.056-acre portion of a 2.284-acre property on the northeast corner of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and South Saturn Avenue. The applicant, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Inc., is requesting to amend the Zoning Atlas designation of the property from the Institutional (I) District to the Commercial (C) District. The applicant has indicated that the property will be used for a future commercial use, but no site plans have been submitted at this time. A Future Land Use Map Amendment application (LUP2024-02001) is being processed concurrently with this case.
The subject property is currently occupied with a place of worship (church) and associated parking. The church has occupied this property since at least 1957, when the earliest structure, located on the northwest corner of the larger parcel fronting Gulf to Bay Boulevard, was constructed. The church expanded in 1958 with the construction of the two-story structure east of the original building, and then with the construction of the third structure currently fronting Gulf to Bay Boulevard in 1970. These three buildings contain just over 25,000 square feet of building area.
The proposed amendment would allow the property to have a consistent zoning district of Commercial (C) with the remaining block and surrounding area and allow for the development of the property with a commercial use, consistent with uses in the area.
The Planning and Development Department has determined that the proposed Zoning Atlas Amendment is consistent with the provisions of the Community Development Code as specified below:
• The proposed amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Community Development Code.
• The proposed amendment is compatible with the surrounding properties and character of the neighborhood.
• The available uses in the Commercial (C) District are compatible with the surrounding area.
• The proposed amendment will not adversely impact or unreasonably affect the use of other property in the area.
• The proposed amendment will not adversely burden public facilities, including traffic carrying capabilities of streets in an unreasonably or disproportionate manner, and
• The proposed Commercial (C) District boundaries are appropriately drawn in regard to location and classification of street, ownership lines, existing improvements and the natural environment.
The Community Development Board, in its capacity as the Local Planning Agency (LPA), reviewed the proposed amendment at its meeting on May 21, 2024, and unanimously recommended approval.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This proposed amendment supports the Community Well-Being goal of the city’s Strategic Plan by providing for targeted revitalization through responsible development standards.
