Commission backs New Song Church campus expansion with conditions after marathon public hearing

The Planning Commission recommended approval of a multi-part application from New Song Church to expand its campus, add a new sanctuary and multipurpose building, and amend the conditional-use permit to allow the academy to serve kindergarten through fifth grade and increase the student cap from the previously permitted level to as many as 176 students under phased conditions.

Applicant counsel Liz Sirocak described a phased campus plan that would build a new sanctuary and parking expansion, then convert the existing shared building to full school use. She said proposed mitigations — including a required annual enrollment letter to city staff, a 30-minute separation in bell times from Del Webb Middle School, on-site traffic attendants during drop-off and pick-up, compulsory parent agreements for queuing and parking, and a required traffic-study update six months after expanded operations begin — are intended to keep traffic on-site and limit spillover onto neighborhood streets.

Neighbors mounted extensive opposition centered on traffic, historic contractual limits and design. Keith Pickard, representing Coventry HOA, provided a detailed report addressing traffic, design review and prior conditional-use expectations; he argued the school had already exceeded prior enrollment limits and urged enforcement. Opponents said staggered bell times and attendants may not prevent u-turns, curbside drop-offs or congestion at Reunion and Anthem Parkway.

Supporters, including long-time parents and teachers, said the academy provides needed educational options and community outreach; multiple residents testified to positive experiences with New Song services and programs. Pastor Paul Block emphasized the church's community role and asked the commission to approve the long-standing campus vision.

Staff and commissioners stressed enforceable conditions. Staff included a condition (condition 25) capping enrollment at 102 students until Phase 1 (which includes the parking expansion and specified project elements) is complete; the commission's motion to approve followed the staff recommendations and added direction that the applicant continue working with neighborhood representatives on design and operational detail. The motion passed.

What happens next: Staff will include the additional conditions and the file will be finalized as part of the Planning Commission record; because this is a CUP and design review item staff treated it as final action unless appealed (the staff memo indicated the item is final action unless appealed). The commission also recorded that the City will expect annual enrollment letters to verify compliance; staff said failure to provide the letter constitutes a condition violation and will prompt follow-up.

Votes and motions: The commission voted to approve the CUP and DRA subject to the conditions read into the record, including the enrollment cap until Phase 1 is complete and required traffic mitigation and reporting measures; motion passed.