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Council asks staff to study allowing schools in Titus Landing urban village
Summary
Council voted unanimously to direct staff to research permitting schools in the Urban Village zoning district after a private school operator asked to locate a K'12 Christian academy in Titus Landing. Councilmembers requested analysis on conditional-use permitting, overall site vision and traffic implications.
Titusville City Council on Oct. 14 directed staff to research options for permitting schools in the city's Urban Village zoning district after applicants seeking to locate a K'12 Christian academy in Titus Landing requested a zoning change.
Representatives of Tower of Refuge Learning Academy (TBR Learning Academy) described plans to open a K'12 Christian school using 12,000 square feet in a proposed second phase of the Titus Landing development. "We started 2012 with 6 kids," said Hector Sanchez, president of TBR Learning Academy, describing his group's experience operating schools in Orlando and elsewhere and their interest in a Titusville campus.
City staff explained that schools are currently prohibited in the Urban Village zoning district and that code changes would be required to permit a private or public school there. Staff outlined two options for an applicant: (1) petition council to direct staff to research and prepare an ordinance, or (2) submit an application proposing an ordinance change for council consideration. Staff recommended advising research and returning with options.
Council members said they were open to the idea but wanted fuller analysis before a zoning change, citing traffic, circulation and the overall vision for the multi-parcel Urban Village area. Member Nelson voiced concern about multiple competing uses previously discussed for the site (hotels, apartments, assisted living) and asked how a school would fit into the broader plan. Council discussed the option of allowing schools by conditional-use permit rather than blanket zoning change.
Council voted unanimously to direct staff to meet with the applicant, study feasibility (including traffic, circulation and compatibility with the Titus Landing vision) and return with options and recommendations. Staff said it would typically recommend the conditional-use-permit route if the use were to be permitted in that district.
What happens next: staff will meet with the applicant, analyze zoning options (including conditional-use permit approach), review traffic and site-circulation implications, and return to council with recommended language or an ordinance for consideration.
