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Lake Forest Community Church given special‑use approval for larger parking to support expansion
Summary
County commissioners approved a major site plan and an alternative parking plan for Lake Forest Community Church, allowing a seating expansion and 453 parking spaces; engineering testimony said the site would remain well under watershed impervious limits and DOT approved a third driveway.
Lake Forest Community Church won board approval on June 1 for a major site plan and an alternative parking plan linked to an expansion that would increase seating capacity to accommodate larger services. Church volunteer Rob Brown and civil engineer Dave Lutz presented the request and said the existing campus covers nearly 40 acres and the expansion concentrates development in the northwest portion of the site.
The church sought 453 parking spaces where the UDO minimum was 325 (and a staff‑administrative allowance up to 357). Lutz said the proposed development would produce about 14.8% impervious coverage — well below the ELDD and RT district maximums — and argued the additional parking was needed for safety and circulation during multiple Sunday services and holiday peaks. North Carolina Department of Transportation approved a third driveway at the site.
Commissioners voted to approve the major site plan and alternative parking plan. County staff noted the application included the required traffic and stormwater documentation and that the site will comply with UDO standards.
Next steps: The applicant will proceed with construction permitting and final site engineering under the approved site plan.
