PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA REQUEST

Sponsor:

Board of Supervisors Meeting Date:

Planning Commission

September 14, 2006

Staff Lead:

Department:

W. Todd Benson, Assistant Zoning Administrator

Community Development

Topic:  

A Proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to Section 5-504 to Eliminate the Limitation of 300 Students per School in Residential Districts

Topic Description:

This proposed text amendment is designed to eliminate the 300 student limitation on County schools in residential districts.

Requested Action of the Board of Supervisors:

Conduct a public hearing and consider adoption of the attached Ordinance.

Financial Impact Analysis:

No financial impact analysis has been conducted.

Summary Staff Report:

At present, the Zoning Ordinance limits schools to a maximum of 300 students in residential districts. The Fauquier County School Board has applied for a special exception to expand Cedar Lee Middle School.  Cedar Lee is located on School House Road, on the north side of Route 661.  The parcel contains approximately 26.33 acres and is zoned R-4.

While there may be historical significance to this limitation, it appears that the significance has been lost in time and the limitation not followed.  Cedar Lee Middle School has 649 students and was last expanded in 1998. Other schools in residential districts are C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary School (572 students), Auburn Middle School (470 students), P.B. Smith Elementary School (552 students), Southeastern Alternative School, Margaret M. Pierce Elementary School (532 students), and Mary Walter Elementary School (450 students).

On June 29, 2006, the Planning Commission initiated this text amendment. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on July 27, 2006.

Identify any other Departments, Organizations or Individuals that would be affected by this request:

Economic Development

Fauquier County Board of Education