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STAFF REPORT
Item: Public hearing and consideration of a Conditional Use Permit, site plan only, for
the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority located at 1502 Athens Drive. (0-67)
Applicant: Carolyn Hoyle
Item Summary: The subject property is located on the corner of Athens Drive and
University Oaks Boulevard and is within the Greek Village Subdivision. The property is
zoned R-6, which allows sorority and fraternity houses as conditional uses. The subject
property is surrounded on all sides, except to the east, by sorority and fraternity homes.
The property to the east, across University Oaks Boulevard, is zoned C-3 Planned
Commercial and is currently developed as a day care facility.
On July 3, 1980, the Planning and Zoning Commission granted a conditional use permit
for the existing sorority house site and use. The applicant now wishes to make
renovations to the structure totaling 4,035 square feet, with the most major addition
consisting of increasing the size of the current meeting room from 706 square feet to
1265 square feet.
The off-street parking requirement for sorority houses is determined by the size of the
meeting room and by the number of persons living in the house. The applicant is
proposing to remove most of the landscaping on the east side of the property that is
adjacent to University Oaks Boulevard in order to meet this increased off-street parking
requirement. The proposed additions will increase the structure by approximately 25
percent. Due to the magnitude of the renovations, including an increase in the amount of
off-street parking, the site plan must come back before the Planning and Zoning
Commission for approval.
Item Background: The subject property and surrounding area was annexed during the
1950s and was zoned to R-6 in the late 1970s. The area bounded by Munson Avenue,
Dominik Drive, Olympia Way and University Oaks, began to develop as an area for
sorority and fraternity houses shortly after the rezoning to R-6.
Staff Recommendations: Section 14 of the Zoning Ordinance authorizes the existence of
conditional uses. The Commission may permit a conditional use subject to appropriate
conditions and safeguards, when after public notice and hearing the Commission finds
that:
(Staff comments are in italics)
"The proposed use meets all the minimum standards established in the ordinance for
the type of use proposed." Staff conducted a technical review and found general
compliance with development regulations with the exception of the items listed below
in the staff comments. The applicant is short one parking space. A parking space
will need to be added or 30 square feet of the proposed meeting room will need to be
removed.
2. "That the proposed use meets the purposed and intent of the ordinance and is in
harmony with the development policies and goals and objectives as embodied in the
Comprehensive Plan for Development of the City. The request is in compliance with
the Comprehensive Plan.
3. "That the proposed use will not be detrimental to the health, welfare, and safety of the
surrounding neighborhood or its occupants, nor be substantially or permanently
injurious to neighboring property." The public hearing is an opportunity for the
Commission to measure the potential impact on surrounding land uses.
The Commission may impose additional reasonable restrictions or conditions to carry out
the spirit and intent of the ordinance and to mitigate adverse effects of the proposed use.
These requirements may include, but are not limited to, increased open space, loading and
parking requirements, additional landscaping, and additional improvements such as
curbing, sidewalks and screening."
Unless the public hearing bring to light any new information indicating potential
negative impacts, Staff recommends approval with Staff Review Comments #2.
Commission Action Options: The Commission has final authority over the Conditional
Use Permit and associated site plan. The options regarding the use permit are:
1. Approval as submitted;
2. Approval with conditions relating to specific site characteristics or with time
limitations;
3. Denial with specified reasons for denial;
4. Table; or,
5. Defer action to a specified date.
Supporting Materials:
1. Location Map
2. Application
3. Infrastructure and Facilities
4. Staff Review Comments #2
5. Copy of Site Plan
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INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES
Water: Adequate for proposed use.
Sewer: Adequate for proposed use.
Streets: The subject property has frontage on both Athens Drive and
University Oaks Boulevard. Athens Drive is classified as a
residential street, University Oaks is classified as a minor collector
on the Thoroughfare Plan.
Drainage: Site will be required to meet drainage requirements.
Flood Plain: None.
NOTIFICATION:
Legal Notice Publication(s): The Eagle; 4-20-00
Advertised Commission Hearing Dates(s): 5-02-00
Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200': 11
Response Received: None as of date of staff report