Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
LPA continues Kingsbridge/RTS zoning amendment after residents press stormwater, buffer and traffic concerns
Summary
After multiple residents raised concerns about Tract J conservation, stormwater maintenance, wetland buffers, pedestrian safety and traffic, the Local Planning Agency continued Ordinance 17-66 (Kingsbridge PUD amendment for Reformed Theological Seminary) to May 19, 2026 to allow the applicant time to meet with nearby HOAs and residents.
The Local Planning Agency voted to continue consideration of Ordinance 17‑66, a proposed zoning map amendment and second amendment to the Kingsbridge Planned Unit Development related to the Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), to the LPA meeting on May 19, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Michael Grindstaff, the attorney for RTS, described the requested amendment as a change to the development agreement that would allow up to 163 student housing beds across Tracts F and H, including an optional bunkhouse/dormitory of up to 40 beds on Tract F, while maintaining the site’s existing entitlement of 120 multifamily dwelling units. "The proposed 163 student housing beds on Tract F And H... are not in addition to the existing 120 multifamily units," Grindstaff told the board, saying the applicant would cap student housing at 163 beds and that a 40‑bed bunkhouse would be subtracted from that cap.
Planning staff reviewed the Kingsbridge/"Oviedo Groves" history, explained that conservation tracts reduce the site’s usable acreage, and said the conceptual plan shows a net reduction of daily trips in the staff traffic analysis. Staff noted the LPA would forward a recommendation for adoption to City Council; first reading is set for June 1, 2026 and the advertised public hearing/second reading is scheduled for June 15, 2026.
Several nearby residents and property owners urged stronger, explicit protections before the LPA recommends approval. William Ryan (458 Lake Park Trail) asked the agency to exclude Tract J from any future student housing or dormitory entitlements and to correct an agenda description that characterized part of Lot 3 as paved parking; he said the eastern portion of Tract J is "pristine woodland and wetland" and asked that the seminary remove a noncompliant chain‑link fence. Dan Malawi (465 Lake Park Drive) and others described recent stormwater flooding (after hurricanes Ian and Milton) and urged that conservation protections and maintenance be expressly codified. Michael Sardo and other neighbors said pedestrian access (Reformation Way) lacks a continuous sidewalk and could pose safety issues if campus population increases.
The applicant team acknowledged the concerns, said buffers and stormwater measures must comply with city/state requirements, and expressed a willingness to meet with homeowners and HOA representatives before the item reaches City Council. Planning staff and the applicant described the current submission as conceptual; site plans and detailed stormwater engineering will be addressed at subsequent site‑plan and permitting stages.
A board member moved to continue the ordinance to the next LPA meeting to give the applicant time to meet with nearby HOAs and residents. The motion, which set a date certain of May 19, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., was seconded and passed. Planning staff noted the continuance does not change the previously scheduled City Council dates (first reading June 1; public hearing/second reading June 15).
