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Planning commission backs Jubilee Center proffer amendment to add classrooms at 1516 Florida Avenue
Summary
The commission unanimously recommended approval of Jubilee Family Development Center’s petition to amend proffers and rezone a portion of 1516 Florida Avenue to permit a one‑story, roughly 2,500 sq ft classroom addition and to limit future uses to education/institutional categories; the petition and a related variance will be forwarded to City Council.
The Lynchburg Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval Wednesday for a petition by Jubilee Family Development Center to amend proffers and rezone part of 1516 Florida Avenue so the center can build a one‑story, roughly 2,500‑square‑foot classroom addition.
Planning staff summarized the request and noted the site is split‑zoned, that a portion along Florida Avenue has been B5C general business with conditions since 1991, and that the petitioner seeks to amend the proffered concept plan to permit institutional and education‑focused uses while expressly excluding more intense B5 uses. "The proffer that they have proposed ... [limits] the uses on the site to the category of education, public administration, healthcare, and other institutions," Rachel said.
Staff told the commission the city's future land use map recommends neighborhood commercial uses for the area and that the submitted proffer language would prohibit certain higher‑impact uses such as general retail, gasoline service, auto repair, warehousing and self‑storage, even if the base B5 district would otherwise allow them.
Russ Orison, speaking for Jubilee, said the narrative included with the application "explains pretty well what we're up to" and that the rezoning request is intended to give the center flexibility to expand classroom space. He confirmed the addition would be attached to the existing STEM center.
Staff also noted procedural outreach: mailed notices to adjoining owners and posted signs were used; the Board of Zoning Appeals held and approved a variance for a reduced buffer related to the petition. Commissioners and neighbors expressed support for the center's educational mission and the proposed expansion, citing benefits for youth and STEM programming.
A motion to approve the petition was made and seconded; the commission approved the request by voice vote with no recorded opposition and will forward the recommendation to City Council for final action.
