Planning commission approves special-use permit and site plan for Derby Senior Center, asks staff to increase ADA parking

The Derby Planning Commission on Feb. 20 unanimously approved a special-use permit to allow a government use at the former Cross of Glory Lutheran Church site and voted 8-0 to approve a site plan for a new Derby Senior Center with conditions addressing parking, lighting and landscaping.

City staff told commissioners the site is at the northwest corner of Rock Road and Woodbrook (south of Chet Smith) and that the city acquired the former church to build a senior center after a space study recommended consolidating senior services and relocating court functions. Staff said the parcel is about 6.67 acres, zoned R-1, and that government uses require special-use approval in R-1.

Tom Kyle, assistant director of public works for the City of Derby, attended to answer technical questions. Kaina Priest, a board member of the senior center who spoke as a resident, told the commission she strongly supports the project and raised concerns about parking: "We need more than that," she said, referring to the five ADA parking spaces on the plan, noting a recent event with 35 participants had filled the lot.

Staff acknowledged the five ADA spaces shown are the minimum required by code for the number of proposed regular spaces and told commissioners the senior center is willing to increase ADA-designated parking. Commissioners authorized staff to work with the applicant to determine an appropriate increase; the commission did not set a fixed number at the hearing.

On other plan details staff said the 30-foot light poles shown are not permitted and must be lowered to 25 feet, which may require additional fixtures; staff asked the commission to require a revised photometric/lighting plan. Staff also asked the commission to establish the parking requirement for the site plan review; the applicants used a standard of one parking space per 200 square feet of building area (a ratio the code treats as that of a recreation facility and that exceeds the city's typical one-per-400 ratio). The planning commission accepted staff's approach and recorded the parking standard as part of the site-plan approval.

Staff described additional elements of the conceptual site plan: a new parking area, walking trails, a community garden and potential shared access with a redevelopment to the north. Staff said the city plans to consider a property transfer at the next City Council meeting that would move a portion of land north of the senior center to an adjacent property owner in exchange for that owner constructing parking the city could use, pickleball courts, a gazebo and access to the pond and walking trails; that adjacent property owner would separately pursue a zone change and plat to build independent-living senior housing.

Landscape and building design comments were largely favorable: staff recommended a minor screening revision for a western pedestal and clarification on metal gate materials and color. Staff noted roof-mounted solar was shown as an option and is permitted by local regulations.

The planning commission approved (8-0) a resolution adopting the findings of fact and approving the special-use permit (Lot 1, Block A, Cross of Glory Lutheran Church addition) subject to standard conditions and subsequent site-plan approval. The commission then approved the site plan for the Derby Senior Center, subject to staff comments and planning commission discussion, and authorized staff to work with the applicant on ADA parking and to require revised lighting and landscape details. The actions are final unless protested by surrounding property owners; if not protested the planning commission decision on special-use would be final without council review.