City of Rockville
August 26, 1999
TO: Board of Appeals
FROM: Staff Liaision
SUBJECT:
Special Exception Application SPX99-0281, Saint Elizabeth
Parish School
917 Montrose Road, Rockville, Maryland
At its March 6th 1999 meeting the City of Rockville Board of Appeals held a public hearing and approved Special Exception Application SPX98-0276 subject to certain conditions. Approval allows for the construction of a building addition on the east side of the existing private school at the subject location. The planned building addition/expansion will have three (3) levels and consist of approximately 15,900 square feet of gross floor area. The new building addition will create new classroom space, science and computer labs, a library, office and administrative support space, and storage area. The Board voted to approve the application request for the planned school addition subject to compliance with the following conditions:
1. The proposed building addition must be constructed in substantial accordance with site and building plans submitted with the subject application request. Also, the proposed building addition must be constructed of building materials similar in make, color and quality to that of the existing building.
2. All construction must meet requirements of the city's construction, fire, and life safety codes, as well as Maryland State accessibility code, and Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements.
3. The applicant must submit a completed Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) site analysis for review and approval by the City's Environmental Specialist.
4. In accordance with Section 25-356(b)(2) of the Zoning Ordinance, the on-site parking space/s where school buses are parked and stored must be screen via installation of vegetative materials. Staff suggests use of evergreen hedges, which at maturity will be of a height and fullness to sufficiently screen the school buses from open view.
5. The maximum enrollment of children on-site may not exceed 450 students.
In accordance with Section 25-339(c) of the Ordinance, the applicant submits the subject special exception request, seeking to modify previously approved SPX98-0276. The applicant wishes to add approximately 1,950 square feet of "gross floor area" (GFA) to the approved 15,900 square feet building addition approved under SPX98-0276. The additional building square footage would consist of following: a) The proposed building addition's first floor covered entryway is to be enclosed and converted into a formal lobby area, comprising 650 square feet, b) Create two (2) additional tutoring rooms on the basement totaling 650 square feet , and c) Construct an additional classroom to create one large computer lab on the top level of the building, also totaling 650 square feet. The subject request also modifies the floor plan layout of the building addition as approved under previously approved SPX98-0276.
Although the floor plan layout approved under the previous request has been modified, the mix of administrative and educational support space, along with planned classroom facilities is consistent with that proposed under SPX98-0276. The applicant affirms that the subject request is not proposed or needed to accommodate an increase in the number of students that were enrolled at the school nor the (450 student enrollment) they have been limited to under previous grant of SPX98-0276. It is also important to note that the proposed building addition's footprint will not be altered/expanded beyond that proposed under initial request. Based on the information provided the additional building square footage is not expected to significantly increase in the amount of vehicular traffic generated by the school.
Due to the modest (12.2%) amount and intended use of the floor area the applicant seeks to add to the previously approved 15,900 square building addition, the request is in keeping with the evidence and findings of fact associated with the Board of Appeals previous review and approval of SPX98-0276. Based on all of the afore noted factors staff finds reasonable justification to recommend Special Exception SPX99-0281 be approved subject to the applicant's compliance with all conditions of approval associated with previously approved SPX98-0276. Said conditions of approval are referenced in this correspondence.
As is established staff procedure, notification cards were sent to abutting property owners informing them of this request and pending Planning Commission review and the Board of Appeals public hearing, at which time the subject request will be publicly heard and considered. Notices were sent to 789 property owners located within the subject site area. A list of addresses where notices were sent is contained in the project's application file for public review and inspection. Should you have questions regarding this request, please advise.
/cdc
Attachments
Exhibit "1" - Approved Floor Plan
Exhibit "2" - Proposed Floor Plan
Attachment -"A" - SPX99-0281 Special Exception
Attachment - "A" - SPX98-0276 Staff Report
Attachment
- "B" - SPX98-0276 Approval Letter