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Commission approves Delaware Christian School expansion with two conditional waivers
Summary
Planning commissioners approved a conditional‑use application for a ~23,000 sq ft school addition but amended conditions to waive Hardie board façade material and parking‑island construction for this site while retaining required stormwater controls.
The commission approved a conditional‑use request to add a roughly 23,000‑square‑foot two‑story addition at Delaware Christian School, with conditions amended by the commission to accommodate the existing nonprofit campus.
Staff presented the site plan, noting the addition will include elementary classrooms (K–5), a gymnasium, a relocated kitchen, expanded parking and an emergency access drive (pervious pavers) required by the fire department. "This is a conditional use review for Delaware for a building addition...a little under 23,000 square foot, 2 story addition," planning staff said.
Church and school representatives emphasized programmatic needs and nonprofit budget constraints, saying modular classrooms are actively used for intervention classes and arts. Brad Harris, executive pastor, and Jane Minor, head of school, asked that the existing modular units be retained and that the school be allowed façade materials compatible with existing buildings. "They are vital to our ministry...They serve as classrooms 5 days a week," the applicant said about modular classrooms.
Several public commenters and church members raised concerns that required landscape islands would remove existing parking spaces and that the stormwater basin location would channel runoff into a ravine rather than preserve existing sheet flow; applicants asked whether some code items could be varied to avoid excessive cost for the nonprofit.
The commission debated which site‑improvement standards could be relaxed for this long‑established nonprofit. Members were clear that stormwater and EPA requirements cannot be waived; staff asked the commission to keep the stormwater management plan intact. The commission amended the resolution to not require Hardie board on the addition and to waive the parking‑island requirement for this conditional‑use approval. The amended resolution passed on a roll call (one abstention recorded during amendment). Staff said the applicant must continue to work with engineering and then pursue platting and permits.
