REVIEW COMMENTS
7.A.1
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ZONING CODE VARIANCE
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM NO. PZ 98-055
STAFF REPORT
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND CITY COMMISSION
Meeting
Date:
February 24, 1998
Petition:
Case No. 248
File No:
ZNCV 98-001
Location:
101 N. Seacrest Boulevard
Owner:
David Lynch (Trustee)
Project
Name:
First United Methodist Church of Boynton Beach
Variance
Request:
Request for a variance from the City of Boynton Beach Land Development
Regulations, Chapter 2 - Zoning, Section 5.G.2.c, to allow a 24.2 foot reduction
of the required 40 foot front setback (a 15.8 foot setback is requested).
BACKGROUND
The subject property is the site of the First United Methodist Church of Boynton Beach which is
located at 101. N. Seacrest Boulevard, (see Exhibit "A" - Location Map and Exhibit "B" - Survey).
The property is located within two zoning districts; R-3, Multiple-Family Residential District on
approximately 80 feet of church property that fronts on Seacrest Boulevard, and R-1-A, Single-
Family Residential District on the remainder of property that extends westward from that portion
zoned R-3. The subject variance is located on that portion of the property that is zoned R-3.
The reason for this variance request is to allow a future expansion of the church; the southern
portion of its sanctuary used in connection with the music ministry of the church. This
expansion, to total 1,506 square feet, would square-off the southeast and southwest corners of
the sanctuary, bringing the southeast corner flush with another portion of the sanctuary and
entrance to the church which are currently located 15.8 feet from the property line. The
minimum required setback within the R-3 zoning district is 40 feet. Also a prerequisite to the
planned expansion, is the request for abandonment of an adjacent existing alley (and the
replacement of the alley with a utility easement that will occupy only a portion of the property
currently represented by the alley). Both processes are occurring concurrently.
As indicated above, the church currently exceeds the front setback along Seacrest Boulevard
at two (2) other locations. One of these encroachments (the formal sanctuary entrance) is at the
northern end of the front fac;:ade and was constructed during the 1940's, prior to the
I
First United Methodist Church
PZ 98-005
Page 2
establishment of the 40 foot front setback standard. The existing setback at this location is 13.7
feet. The second location of encroachment occurred during the 1970's when the church was
expanded. As the R-3 development standards were in place at this time, this expansion
warranted the granting of a variance. The city granted this variance that allowed the building to
exceed the required setback by 24.2 feet (the setback became 15.8 feet from the east property
line).
The following is a description of the zoning districts and land uses of the properties that surround
the church:
North -
Single family homes, zoned R-1-A
Northeast- Parking lot for accountant office and the Blossom Shoppe,
zoned C-2, Neighborhood Commercial
East -
Seacrest Boulevard right-of-way and farther east is the City
of Boynton Beach parking area, zoned Public Usage
South -
Single family homes, zoned R-1-A and R-3, Multi-family
Residential
West -
Single family homes, zoned R-1-A
The City of Boynton Beach Land Development Regulations, Chapter 2, Section 5.G.2 sets forth
a 40 foot side setback for buildings located on properties zoned R-3, Multiple-family Dwelling
District.
The code states that zoning code variances cannot be approved unless the board finds the
following:
a, That special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to the land,
structure, or building involved and which are not applicable to other lands, structures
or buildings in the same zoning district.
b. That the special conditions and circumstances do not result from the actions of the
applicant.
c. That granting the variance requested will not confer on the applicant any special privilege
that is denied by this ordinance to other lands, buildings, or structures in the same zoning
district.
d. That literal interpretation of the provisions of this ordinance would deprive the applicant
of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same zoning district under the
terms of the ordinance and would work unnecessary and undue hardship on the
applicant.
~
First United Methodist Church
PZ 98-005
Page 3
e. That the variance granted is the minimum variance that will make possible the
reasonable use of the land, building, or structure.
f. That the grant of the variance will be in harmony with the general intent and purpose of
this chapter [ordinance] and that such variance will not be injurious to the area involved
or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare.
ANALYSIS
As part of analyzing this request against the above criteria, staff evaluated the impact upon, and
consistency of the church expansion with the character of the existing neighborhood, and
alternatives to avoiding the variance request. The existing architectural form of the church was
established many years ago, which, in general, will remain unaltered. With respect to
alternatives to the variance, it is unlikely that the operational needs of the church could be
accommodated otherwise given the location of the sanctuary on the site. Furthermore, the
church could not be expanded on an alternative side without removing needed parking spaces
on the west side, or further exceeding the side setbacks of 20 feet (that portion within the R-3
district) and 30 feet (that portion within the R-1-A district). The side setbacks on the north side
of the property are currently exceeded by approximately 5 feet and 16 feet, respectively.
Although the side setback is exceeded much less by the church than the front setback, an
expansion to the side of the facility would likely be inconsistent with the current form of the north
side of the church which represents a fairly flush, regular, and consistent form. Lastly, although
inconsistent with the modern intent of the R-3 zoning district regulations, the church design (front
setback) is typical of other nearby properties developed years ago within the downtown area,
is nostalgic, and represents a streetscape that the city is encouraging within the downtown and
along nearby Boynton Beach Boulevard.
RECOMMENDA TION
Based on the above analysis, staff recommends that this request by the First United Methodist
Church of Boynton Beach for a variance from the City of Boynton Beach Land Development
Regulations, Chapter 2 - Zoning, Section 5.G.2.c, to allow a 24.2 foot reduction of the required
40 foot front setback be approved. This recommendation is contingent upon meeting those
conditions of approval indicated within Exhibit "C" - Conditions of Approval.
MR
xc: Central File
S:\Planning\SHARED\WP\PROJECTS\First United Methodist\zncv\ReportZNCV98-001.doc
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EXHIBIT "c"
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EXlllBIT "C"
Conditions of Approval
Project name: First United Methodist Church
File number: ZNCV 98-001 - front setback
Reference: Zoning Code Variance application submitted January 12. 1998.
DEPARTMENTS INCLUDE REJECT
PUBLIC WORKS
Comments: None
UTILITIES
Comments: None
FIRE
Comments: None
POLICE
Comments: None
ENGINEERING DIVISION
Comments: None
BUILDING DIVISION
Comments: None
PARKS AND RECREATION
Comments: None
FORESTERlENVIRONMENT ALIST
Comments: None
PLANNING AND ZONING
Comments:
1. Submit a completed unity of title form for all lots owned by church, for
staff review prior to recordation.
2. It is recommended this variance approval be conditioned upon approval
of the church's concurrent alley abandonment application.
ADDITIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD CONDITIONS
3. To be determined.
ADDITIONAL CITY COMMISSION CONDITIONS
4. To be determined.
c;