Commission OKs meditation center addition with added landscape buffer to screen fellowship hall

The Beavercreek Planning Commission voted 4–0 to approve PC25-5, a conditional-use request allowing an addition to an existing meditation center at 3153 Lance Road.

Applicant Elise Graves read a letter of intent describing a fellowship hall for spiritual workshops, children’s activities, yoga classes and an eating area; Whitney Locker of Alliance Engineering presented plans showing the new fellowship hall would match the 2014 addition and that exterior materials will be consistent across the building. "The kitchen layout includes a basic range, an oven for minor cooking and warming of catering foods. It also includes a sink for washing dishes," Graves said. The applicant emphasized the proposed kitchen is a residential-type (soft) kitchen rather than a commercial kitchen.

City planner Colin Carville told the commission the site is zoned R‑1A and that places of religious assembly are a conditional use in that zone. Carville said the two additions total 3,432 square feet. The sanctuary’s seating is about 254 seats, which requires 85 parking spaces under code; the site already has 96 spaces, including four accessible spaces, so no additional parking was required. Staff recommended approval subject to seven conditions, including a final landscape plan that increased the evergreen buffer to the south.

During public comment neighbor Carol Lewis told commissioners the meditation center has been a good neighbor but raised historical drainage concerns; an applicant representative responded that the site has a retention pond that routes water to a creek. Commissioners asked whether the pond and current stormwater arrangements would accommodate the addition; staff said city engineering will review stormwater and construction drawings before issuing a zoning permit.

Commissioners asked several detailed questions about the kitchen and its potential effects on noise, ventilation and nearby children’s play areas. The applicant reiterated that the proposal is for a residential-style kitchen and that food is generally catered or warmed rather than prepared on a commercial scale. Staff noted that if the applicant later proposed a commercial kitchen, the health department and additional code requirements would apply.

A commissioner moved to amend Condition 3 (the final landscape plan) to require "specific attention to the southeast corner of the addition." The motion to add that sentence was seconded, carried on roll call, and was included in the resolution. The final recorded vote on PC25-5 was: Mister Jones — yes; Mister Meyer — yes; Mister Fountain — yes; Mister Self — yes.

Next steps: City staff will review a final landscape plan and construction drawings; engineering will confirm stormwater adequacy before a zoning permit is released.