Commission recommends rezoning of two South Green Road lots for a place of worship, with stipulations

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend that City Council rezone two properties at 2509 and 2515 South Green Road from U1 (single‑family residential) to U5 (public/institutional) so the applicant can operate a place of worship, subject to five stipulations.

Architect Ben Grimblatt presented the proposal and said the plan would convert two existing dwellings into an institutional use connected by a small connector building; the proposal includes a parking plan that meets minimum requirements and an overflow parking agreement with the adjacent Chabad. Planning staff (Mr. Smarrigan) explained that the two existing lots total approximately 16,738 square feet and therefore require a modest lot‑area variance (1,262 sq ft short of the 18,000‑sq‑ft U5 minimum) and a 10‑foot parking setback variance for parking shown 10 feet instead of the required 20 feet from the right‑of‑way. Smarrigan recommended the commission forward a recommendation to council with five stipulations: findings of practical difficulty, the lot‑area variance, the parking setback variance, maintenance of the parking agreement with Chabad during operation, and that the rear yard be maintained as pervious landscape without accessory hardscape.

Commissioners asked questions about pedestrian access from the Chabad parking, garage calculations and parking counts, and the expected congregation size (applicant estimated about 20–25 weekday users and 40–50 on weekends). The building, as proposed, would be converted and upgraded to meet life‑safety standards for a U5 institutional use. Commissioner Hecht moved to recommend approval of P&Z item 20206 with the five stipulations; the motion passed by recorded vote and will be forwarded to City Council for final action (the applicant was advised to appear before council when the item is scheduled).