Board approves Woodmont Christian Church family life center with conditions
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Summary
The Metro Board of Zoning Appeals approved Woodmont Christian Church's request to build an 18,900-square-foot Family Life Center on Jan. 15, 2026, subject to planning-recommended conditions including lighting controls and a requirement that a vehicular crash gate be kept locked when not in use.
The Metro Board of Zoning Appeals voted Jan. 15 to grant Woodmont Christian Church's request for a special exception to build an 18,900-square-foot Family Life Center and new parking on its existing campus in Green Hills.
Attorney Emily Lam, speaking for the church, told the board that "if it meets the conditions found in 17.16.170(e), approval is mandatory, not discretionary," and said the project meets or exceeds bulk regulations. Senior minister Clay Stauffer said the congregation has "been out of space, and we are also out of parking on Sunday mornings," and that the addition is essential to the church's mission.
Architect William Hastings described design revisions intended to limit neighborhood impact: reorienting the building, removing a row of parking near Hoods Hill, narrowing an on-site drive from 24 to 15 feet, adding crash gates to discourage cut-through traffic, preserving roughly 27 existing trees and planting about 70 more, and using pervious pavers and bioretention to improve stormwater handling.
Neighbors and their counsel challenged the scale and character of the proposal and argued that the project could adversely affect historic neighborhood features. Opposition counsel David Kleinfelder said the proposal "does not meet the special exception requirements" and urged a smaller building and larger setbacks.
Board members questioned the applicant about hours of operation, lighting and gate operations. Planning staff had recommended approval and included conditions such as shielding and timing limits for exterior lighting. During deliberations a board member proposed and the board adopted an amendment requiring that the vehicular crash gate be locked when not in use; the board also incorporated planning's recommended conditions on landscaping, lighting and circulation.
The approval was recorded after a motion to approve, as amended, carried. The board noted that planning materials and architectural elevations were entered into the record and that the church must comply with the conditions set by planning and the board.
The board's approval does not remove other regulatory requirements; permits and final inspections remain subject to codes and any required agency signoffs. Planning and codes staff will monitor compliance with the approved conditions.
