Germantown board approves variance to keep and expand Madonna Learning Center parking at Poplar Avenue

The Germantown Board of Zoning Appeals on May 13 approved a variance allowing the Madonna Learning Center to locate parking within the 40-foot front-yard setback at properties on Poplar Avenue, citing an exceptional topographic condition and the pre-existing parking footprint.

The variance was approved to memorialize a long-standing nonconforming parking area and allow an extension of that parking to the south of the existing campus. The board voted 6-0 to approve the variance, and staff said the project will next go to the Design Review Commission for final review.

City planning staff told the board the parcels are zoned R, single-family residential, which requires a 40-foot front-yard setback even though the site functions along a major highway. Staff noted the existing parking on the north side of the site has been in place since at least 1983 and that the proposed additional parking would remain on private property and not in the public right of way. Planner Sarah (last name not provided) told members the parcel has a roughly 15-foot grade change from the front to the middle of the site, which complicates moving the parking farther back.

Engineer Greg Markham of Reeves Firm Engineers said the application is largely a cleanup of a historic condition. "This is really just a cleanup item," Markham said. He said the existing parking originated with an older church on the site, and aligning the new parking with the existing circulation is important for morning and afternoon traffic flow on the campus. Markham also noted broader street-improvement constraints, saying relocation or widening of Poplar Avenue would be a larger state-led effort involving multiple property owners and utilities.

Board members who gave oral reasons cited the grade change and site history. Board member Ms. Meanwell said she voted in favor "due to reasons of exceptional topographic conditions resulting in peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties." Board member Mr. McDermott said he approved "with the same reasons that Ms. Meanwell just stated." Board member Mr. Town cited the site's longevity in addition to topography. Board member Mr. Bland said he supported the variance "as a result of other extraordinary and exceptional situation[s], resulting in peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties." Alderman Gibson and Chairman Ewellhorn also voted yes; the chairman said he based his vote on "safety and topographical concerns."

Staff told the board the Planning Commission had approved a revised final site plan on condition the applicant obtain the variance. Staff also emphasized that none of the proposed parking would extend into the public right of way; all proposed improvements are on the applicant's property.

The motion approved by the board directed that the variance be granted "subject to the board's discussion, staff comments, and the site plan submitted with the application." The record lists the affected addresses as 7007, 7035 and 7045 Poplar Avenue (as cited in the application materials presented to the board). The project will proceed to the Design Review Commission for design-level review and any additional conditions required there.

No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing. The board did not record any abstentions or votes against the motion.

The meeting was a regularly scheduled Board of Zoning Appeals session; staff and any members of the public who spoke were sworn in at the start because the body is quasi-judicial.