Star Council approves Dayspring Church annexation with conditions on access, daycare and landscaping
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Summary
The Star City Council approved annexation, zoning, a development agreement and a conditional-use approach for Dayspring Church’s proposed 8.17-acre site at 9701 W. Beacon Light Road. Council required ACHD coordination on emergency access, landscaping in early phases and that a stand‑alone daycare must receive a conditional-use permit.
The Star City Council on Jan. 20 approved the annexation and zoning of 8.17 acres at 9701 West Beacon Light Road for Dayspring Church, adopting a development agreement and conditions to address access, landscaping, parking and future daycare operations.
Staff told the council the application complies with the unified development code and the city comprehensive plan’s residential future land‑use designation. The applicant’s proposal calls for phased construction: an initial enclosed shell and parking area to allow early use, followed by additional landscaping, playgrounds and later building expansions. Staff recommended approval with conditions contained in its report.
Designer Rob Nijhoff said the project emphasizes a rural, barn‑style aesthetic and that the phased plan is driven by fundraising. He told council the site will meet ACHD requirements for a paved driveway, right‑of‑way sidewalk connections and emergency access; ACHD had requested connectivity for emergency vehicle access, which council and staff said would be coordinated during final design.
Council members pressed the applicant on parking and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. The applicant agreed to ensure required accessible parking stalls and to revise plans during the design review and zoning‑certificate processes. The council also discussed exterior lighting and the city’s dark‑sky objectives; staff will review lighting during design review to limit upward and fugitive light.
A central issue at the hearing was whether proposed ancillary uses — notably a daycare and a small internal coffee service — would be accessory church activities or separate commercial enterprises. Staff recommended and the council adopted conditions that treat coffee service as an accessory, church‑related amenity limited in hours and scope, while any stand‑alone daycare operation open to the public must obtain a separate conditional‑use permit with required details (playgrounds, fencing, staffing) before opening.
Neighbors raised concerns about the stub emergency access at the rear of the adjacent subdivision and potential cut‑through traffic. Council and staff said they will require removable bollards or similar mechanisms for emergency use only and will work with ACHD and the HOA on final configuration; the fire marshal advised that removable bollards could be acceptable provided ACHD and the fire district can access the route and required turnarounds are provided if distances exceed code thresholds.
Councilman Kevin Nielsen moved to approve the annexation, zoning and development agreement with the conditions discussed (early landscaping in phase 1, height language/waiver as appropriate, ACHD coordination for emergency access and bollard provisions, accessory‑use limits for coffee service, and a requirement that stand‑alone daycare be reviewed by conditional‑use process). The motion was seconded and passed by roll call vote.
What’s next: the applicant will work with staff and ACHD on final design details, parking and access; landscaping, lighting and parking plans will return to staff for design review and zoning certificates before building permits are issued.