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Board approves special-exception for Hope Ministries recovery home on Old Nashville Dirt Road
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special-exception allowing Hope Ministries to operate a 6,176 sq ft, faith-based group care home on a 5.13-acre R-3 parcel. Staff recommended approval after comparing the use to permitted assisted-living standards and confirming compliance with development requirements.
The Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a special-exception that will allow Hope Ministries to operate a faith-based group care family home on a 5.13-acre parcel on Old Nashville Dirt Road.
Tom, the staff presenter, told the board the proposed facility is a 6,176-square-foot, nonmedical recovery program intended to serve up to 28 people for periods of about eight to 12 months. He said staff compared the proposal to assisted-living uses — a permitted secular use in nearby districts — and concluded the proposal meets the standards for a special exception under the local zoning code and related plans. "It's nonmedical in nature, and it's, intended to overcome drug and alcohol dish addiction," Tom said when describing the program.
The presentation referenced federal religious-land-use protections cited in the transcript (identified there as U.S. Public Law 106-274) and described two analytical paths: treating the proposal as comparable to an assisted-living use, or retaining an existing policy and granting an exemption to avoid imposing a substantial burden on religious exercise. Tom told the board that, regardless of classification, the facility must meet standard site-development requirements, including review by the state fire marshal and sprinkler protection.
The board moved to approve the special exception; a roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript with recorded affirmative votes from Member Noel, Member Armstrong, Member Patterson and Chairman Williams. The transcript does not specify who moved or seconded the motion. Tom said the item will go to the Planning Commission on Thursday for further steps in the process.
Neighbors and site details were described by staff: the parcel is adjacent to Livingstone Church and offers substantial privacy and buffering opportunities, staff said. Tom also noted the application was delayed while staff confirmed that the property owner and Hope Ministries are faith-based entities in their incorporation documents.
Next steps include final site-development review and compliance with building and fire-safety requirements before occupancy; the transcript records staff recommending approval but does not supply a projected timeline for construction or occupancy.
(Record: topic introduced SEG 063; discussion and staff recommendation through SEG 186; motion and roll-call recorded SEG 251–SEG 269.)
