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TO: James E. Chandler County Administrator DIV SION HEAD CONCURRENCE: Robert M. eats , AI Community Development Director THROUGH: Stan Boling,41ICP Planning Director reRON: John W. McCoy, AICP �'� Senior Planner, Curr nt Development DATE: April 5, 1994 SUBJECT: Harvest Christian Retreat's Request for Special Exception Use and Major Site Plan Approval to Construct a Retreat It is requested that the data herein presented be given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at its regular meeting of April 12, 1994. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND LOCATION BACKGROUND: John Dean, Architect and Associates, P.A. has submitted an application for special exception -use and major site plan approval on behalf of the Harvest Christian Retreat (Sandy & Rich Coffey) to construct a retreat located at 801 154th Avenue (7.5 miles west of I-95, 1.5 miles south of S.R. 60). The subject property is zoned A-2, a zoning district which requires special exception use approval for a retreat use. There is an existing house on the subject property that will remain on site as part of this project and will be occupied by the owner/manager of the retreat. In addition, a bunk house will be built to house up to 24 people, and a new barn will be constructed to facilitate the gardening activities associated with the retreat's programs. The proposed retreat use will involve stays of up to 6 months, religious classes and ministries, gardening activities, and prayer and study programs (please see attachment #4 for a detailed description of the retreat use). Oftentimes, use categories overlap. Such is the case with the county's "camps and retreats" use category. Uses such as hotels, residential treatment centers, and group homes can share some use characteristics with retreats. In reviewing this proposed project, staff found that the proposed use will have characteristics of a retreat and of a group home. In staff's opinion, a retreat is a use involving an isolated setting, removed from "normal life", where persons can focus on various personal issues or topics during relatively short-term stays. Because an element of isolation is involved, retreats are usually located in remote, rural areas (hence the allowance of retreats in agricultural areas). The proposed project will involve some group home characteristics such as some stays up to six months and periodic, limited transportation from the retreat site back into the "normal world". APR 121994 19 800Y 9? F-vlj l