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Planning commission recommends continued accessory school use for Veritas Christian School at River City Church
Summary
Planning commissioners on March 26 recommended approval of a special use permit allowing Veritas Christian School to continue operating at River City Church (3001 Lawrence Ave.) without a set expiration date, subject to conditions limiting operations to the existing building/play area and contingent on the church’s nonconforming use status.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of Special Use Permit UP‑25‑0001 on March 26 to allow Veritas Christian School to continue operating as an accessory school use at River City Church, 3001 Lawrence Avenue. The current special use permit approved in September 2023 was temporary and set to expire June 30; the school requested a new SUP without a set expiration date so it could continue occupying the church building beyond the lease term (Avery Kerner: s=7486.855–s=7555.49).
Staff findings and conditions Staff recommended approval, finding the accessory school use is compatible with surrounding land uses and that the application proposed only a minor physical change — short‑term bicycle parking at the front entrance (the applicant has submitted an updated bike rack exhibit). Staff recommended the permit be approved subject to three conditions: that the school’s operation be restricted to the interior of the existing building and the designated playground area; that the bike‑rack plan be administratively approved (applicant submitted a revision); and that the accessory school’s approval be contingent on the religious institution retaining its legal nonconforming use status (Kerner: s=7659.89–s=7734.375).
Public comment and applicant statement Applicant representative Aaron Gasper (CFS) told the commission Veritas has operated at the site for three years and the school’s partnership with River City Church has been positive; the SUP would simply formalize continued occupancy (Gasper: s=7742.39–s=7754.685). Staff recorded no active compliance complaints related to the current permit; one written communication in the packet was recorded in support (Kerner: s=7795.6553–s=7845.335).
Commission action A motion to recommend approval of Special Use Permit UP‑25‑0001 was moved and seconded; the Planning Commission voted in favor and forwarded the recommendation to the City Commission with the staff‑recommended conditions (vote recorded s=7863.775–s=7884.53). The recorded outcome was approval of the recommendation with the conditions listed above.
Ending The permit as recommended will now be considered by the Lawrence City Commission for final action. If the church’s registered nonconforming use status is lost, staff noted the accessory school would no longer be allowable without additional land‑use review.
