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Board approves special exception for Nativity Catholic Elementary modular classroom
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Summary
The Planning & Development Board approved an after‑the‑fact special exception allowing a modular art classroom at Nativity Catholic Elementary, with staff requiring annual enrollment verification and stating the modular is temporary while a permanent building is pursued.
The Planning & Development Board voted Thursday to approve a special exception allowing a modular classroom on the Nativity Catholic Elementary campus at 5‑20 Johnson Street.
Staff presenter Urgent Modi told the board the site is a longstanding legal nonconforming school campus in the RS‑5 zoning district and that the applicant seeks an after‑the‑fact special exception to permit a modular, single‑story classroom of about 860 square feet to support the school’s existing program. "This request is intended to support the ongoing educational needs of an established school campus," Modi said, and staff recommended approval subject to conditions including annual enrollment reporting.
Father Robert, the school pastor, said the unit is already installed and that the modular is temporary: "It is most definitely temporary." He said the lease for the unit is for three years and the modular is meant to provide a dedicated art space rather than increase student enrollment.
Board members raised a procedural and condition question about the three‑year lease. Board member Bob Glickman asked whether approval could be limited to the lease term, noting "if they're only... lease for 3 years, it's not like they purchased it and own it forever. What happens after 3 years?" City staff and counsel responded that the board could impose conditions but had not recommended a time limit, and that the city generally treats school facilities consistently without imposing term limits for similar special exceptions.
After discussion, board member Christine Corbeau moved to approve the special exception and the motion was seconded and carried by the board.
The board’s approval allows the applicant to close out outstanding permit items related to the modular building; staff required submission of annual enrollment data for verification and emphasized the approval is intended to support existing capacity rather than expand it.
The Planning & Development Board took the action as a recommendation and noted its conditions; final enforcement and permit closeout will proceed through city permitting and inspection processes.
