The City Commission is considering variance requests from the Ebenezer Deliverance Temple for their property located at 2340 Griffin Road. The Temple is requesting variances from parking space requirements, paving requirements, drive aisle width requirements, and landscaping requirements. The building was previously a medical office and is being converted to a house of worship. Due to the size and layout of the property, the Temple is requesting fewer than the required number of parking spaces, permission to use an existing grass area for some spaces, a reduced drive aisle width, and no vehicular use area landscaping. Both the Planning and Zoning Board and city staff are recommending approval of the variance requests.

1. City Commission Ebenezer Deliverance Temple, Inc. 2340 Griffin Road

2. Property Information ZONING: Commercial (C-2) FUTURE LAND USE: Commercial OVERLAY DISTRICT: Principal Arterial Design District

3. Location Map

4. Variance Requests To allow for 15 onsite parking spaces, code requires a minimum of 25 onsite parking spaces. To allow for unpaved, grass parking for 8 of the onsite spaces, code requires offstreet parking to be paved. To allow for a 22 foot wide drive aisle, code requires a minimum of 24 feet of width. To allow for an onsite parking area without providing vehicular use area landscaping (terminal landscape islands and 5 foot perimeter buffer), code requires vehicular use area landscaping when a change of use necessitates a change in parking.

5. Variance Requests The building is 4,498 square feet and the site currently has 9 paved parking spaces. Building was previously used as a medical office. Change of use to house of worship requires compliance with current parking and landscape code. Current code requires 25 onsite parking spaces. Due to layout of the existing structure as well as limited size of site, only 15 parking spaces can be provided. Applicant requests to use existing grass area for 8 of the onsite spaces to reduce costs. Also due to size of site, applicant requests variance to reduce drive aisle from required 24 feet to 22 feet in width.

6. Variance Requests Current landscape code requires 10 foot terminal landscape islands and a 5 foot perimeter buffer. Applicant requests a variance from current landscape code requirements in order to provide the maximum number of parking spaces possible. The site plan does provide a continuous hedge around the proposed grass parking area and a 6 foot fence along the south side of the site. The applicant states that 15 parking spaces are sufficient as most members carpool, walk or use the church van (stored offsite) for transport. The property is also located along the Broward County Transit bus line routes 6 and 15.

7. Planning and Zoning Board Recommendation On January 20, 2010, the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of the variance requests.

8. Staff Recommendation This variance application has been reviewed by Public Works, the City’s Landscape Consultant, the Fire Marshall and the Planning Division. Public works requires 6” limerock beneath grass to ensure stable surface and to avoid mucking. Staff recommends approval provided all staff comments are addressed prior to issuance of building permit.