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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP199800023 Action Letter j-#~ COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE Dept of Planning & Community Development 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 229024596 (804) 296-5823 August 3 1, 1998 Edwin L Leake, Ir Richard L Saunders, ET AL Trustee POBox 6547 Charlottesville, VA 22906 RE: SP-98-23 Colonial Baptist Church Mission Building Tax Map 94, Parcel 46 Dear Mr. Leake: The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, at its meeting on august 19, 1998, approved the above-noted request to allow printing and distribution of church literature in a 3,040 square foot building to be constructed adjacent to an existing church. 1. Sanctuary and classroom expansion, or day care and other non-worship uses will require amendment to this petition. 2. Print shop and mailing service is limited to distribution of church-related items; five (5) volunteers; hours of operation from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and, no more than twelve (12) commercial delivery truck trips per month as described in memorandum dated August 10, 1998, from colonial Baptist Church to Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Section I. Facts, item No. 8 (copy attached). 3. Additional development shall be limited to the final site plan revised May 29, 1998. In the event that the use, structure or activity for which this special use permit is issued shall not be commenced within eighteen (18) months after the issuance of such permit, the same shall be deemed abandoned and the authority granted thereunder shall thereupon terminate. For purposes of this section, the term "commenced" shall be construed to include the commencement of construction of any structure necessary to the use of such permit within two (2) years from the date of the issuance thereof which is thereafter completed within one (1) year. Page 2 August 31, 1998 Before beginning this use, you must obtain a zoning clearance from the Zoning Department. Before the Zoning Department will issue a clearance, you must comply with the conditions in this letter. For further information, please call Jan Sprinkle at 296-5875. If you should have any questions or comments regarding the above-noted action, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, (Jw (!JL V. Wayne~g Director of Planning & Co VWC/jcf cc: Amelia McCulley Jack Kelsey 2 TO: Albemarle County Board of Supervisors ATTENTION: Clerk of Board of Supervisors FROM: Colonial Baptist Church DATE: August 10, 1998 RE: SP 98-23 Colonial Baptist Church Mission Building MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF APPROVAL FOR AMENDMENT TO SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND SITE PLAN I. FACTS 1) There has always been a need for religious printed material at the least cost possible for free distribution and teaching needs. As a result of this need, Colonial Baptist Church decided it was least expensive to produce the materials itself instead of trying to raise the necessary funds to purchase commercially printed material. Consequently, Colonial Baptist Church has operated a printing ministry since November 1993. This ministry is an integral part of the church. Printing equipment and paper have been purchased with the sacrificial giving of its members. There has never been a charge for any material printed at Colonial Baptist church and the church never intends to charge for any printed material. 2) The type of material printed ranges from small folded brochures to plastic ring-bound Bible study lessons and staple-bound scripture portions. 3) The reason for this ministry is to fulfill God's command in Matthew 28:18,19; Acts 1 :8; and Mark 16: 15. God has led our church to accomplish this through the printed page. 4) Our inhouse shop is too small and a larger space has been requested to further meet the needs required for the distribution of printed religious and humanitarian material to our local area and abroad. 5) This is a ministry. We have no paid staff and all work is done by volunteer church members. Colonial Baptist Church has never had any paid staff for its printing ministry and presently has no plans for any paid staff. In the future, if the need arises and the donations are sufficient, then it may consider hiring staff members. 6) At present, we operate with three high speed duplicators, one collator, and several hand binding machines. This could be reduced to two newer duplicators which would do the job of the three current machines, but the price of $65,000 has hindered the purchase, thus the use of used equipment has been necessary. The equipment we have is the least expensive we were able to locate and purchase with available donations. ,?,"'> ~~''" ....... ¡j'- !'\ '1. 1 r::,;r.~ l;¡..;~ Í<~' ~ ;¡;.- ~ ", L~.....' :, Iii _.,..11 u-.. ~ 1, AUG , .! ~99t !~)' ,- 1"-" j¡. ',)\2.nning t.t:~.H. .' ~ . ~ 7) We do not sell our printed material as we believe it is forbidden by scripture ( I Thess- alonians 3:1, Psalm 68:11). The printing operation is strictly and totally an integral ministry of Colonial Baptist Church. 8) Currently, commercial deliveries to the church average twelve trips per month. This includes trash pickup, linen service, UPS, FED EX, and church supply deliveries. Colonial Baptist Church does not anticipate any increase in these deliveries in the near future. If our printing ministry were to increase production because of demand and donations, then Colonial Baptist Church anticipates no more than one extra delivery on average per month in the distant future. II. ISSUES RAISED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION 1) This church operates a printing ministry, not a commercial business. The material printed is for free distribution and not for sale and never will be for sale. 2) The Planning Commission was concerned with traffic. VDOT has stated that traffic was not a problem, according to the Planning Staff report. VDOT indicated that the existing entrance is more than adequate for the present and future needs of Colonial Baptist Church. 3) There has been absolutely no public comment opposing this site plan and amendment. 4) Comments of environmental hazards were addressed by the staff recommendation. We pose no threat to the environment in soil, water, air, or noise pollution. 5) This site plan does not affect permitted uses or adjacent property. 6) Four commercial delivery truck trips per month is not adequate, even for the present needs of Colonial Baptist Church, if "commercial" includes those deliveries listed in I. 8) above. III. CONCLUSION Colonial Baptist Church requests that Albemarle County grant us the amendment to the special use permit and approve the site plan for the responsible and economically feasible use of our property. Approval of this use has not been determined to adversely affect the health, welfare, or safety of the community and the refusal of the amendment to the special use permit does not advance a legitimate government interest. Colonial Baptist Church has enjoyed the free exercise of its constitutional right to use its property in a responsible and economically feasible manner in the past without any religious discrimination. In light of this, and in consideration of the scriptural directive that compels us to operate the current printing ministry, we respectfully ask that you support our First Amendment right and grant our requests for amendment to the special use permit and site plan approval.