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Schools

Christian school wants a permit; others want a say

Because of county codes, neighbors can't block Berean Academy. They can, though, appeal approval.

By BILL COATS
Published March 18, 2005

LUTZ - It may not matter that 50 residents around Lutz's biggest lake oppose a private school on the shoreline, convinced it will bring noise and pollution.

And it may not matter that the devoutly Christian school, Berean Academy, pledged "to love our neighbors as ourselves."

"What happens if I approve this thing with no conditions?" asked Harold Youmans, a county land-use hearing officer who must issue a decision on the proposed school by April 1.

What happens is all details would be governed by county staffers, who would weigh the school's permit application with no public input. But first, the neighbors probably would appeal.

Youmans was making a larger point: Hillsborough County's land-use code, which contains reams of nit-picks on most projects, largely spares schools.

It makes only two requirements:

First, the school must be on a major road. Berean is proposed for six-lane U.S. 41, just south of Crystal Lake Road. Widened seven years ago, the highway has plenty of capacity.

Second, ballfields and playgrounds must be designed "to avoid interference" with neighbors. Berean proposes to create shady, 25-foot buffers between itself and the closest neighbors, when the county ordinarily would require only 10 feet. The school also pledged that the light escaping from its property will range between half a foot-candle, which is the county maximum, and one-fifth of a foot-candle.

Despite the code language, the county's planning department explored a dozen other issues in the Berean Academy's proposal, and suggested that Youmans attach 19 conditions, from building height to boating on Lake Stemper.

The public was entitled to such details, Michelle Heinrich, the county planner handling Berean's application, argued at last week's hearing.

Youmans worried aloud that adopting such conditions might preclude the permitting staff from applying better ones later.

But Denise Layne, president of the Lutz Civic Association, told Youmans, "The community has absolutely no input at the permitting stage, and you know that."

Berean is proposing to create a landmark on U.S. 41, a two-story, reddish-brick building, featuring columns and military symmetry. The classic look would fit Berean's emphasis on classic studies of language skills and literature, particularly the Bible, said headmaster Joe Bray.

The 10-year-old school has operated at University Church of God in Forest Hills, growing to 150 students. The Lutz campus would create room for growth - up to 300 students in five years, and 780 in a decade or more.

The initial school building would be 46,000 square feet, including a gym. Berean could add classroom wings and a performing arts hall totaling 79,000 square feet in later phases.

Berean has been supported in its relocation by a trust established by James Gills, the founder of St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute in Tarpon Springs. The trust found the 23-acre site and bought it last July for $1.5-million.

Roger Rigau, former president of the Lake Stemper Civic Association, said the school facilities would be "literally right on top of us."

"The project essentially is too big for the property," Rigau said.

Berean's attorney disputed that. And he reminded Youmans it wasn't an issue legally.

"We are entitled to this . . . unless it's shown to be against the public good," said attorney Robert Williams.

Rigau said he expected Youmans to approve the school. But the neighbors plan to appeal if he does. An appeal would be heard by the county's appointed Land Use Appeals Board. Any higher appeal would go to Circuit Court.

"This is going to end up in the court system," Layne said. "The handwriting's on the wall."

Bill Coats can be reached at 813 269-5309 or coats@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 17, 2005, 08:40:12]