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Schools

Church school in jeopardy

Libertas Academy, at Calvary Chapel, applies for a permit. Neighbors are opposed.

By Jared Leone, Times Staff Writer
Published February 29, 2008

LUTZ 

A small Christian school operating inside a church is in jeopardy because of a rift between the church and its neighbors.

Libertas Academy, with 25 students, applied with Hillsborough County in October for a special-use permit to accommodate as many as 40 students.

Neighbors are asking a land use hearing officer to deny the special-use permit because of issues that include a fence, a garbage bin and a building design that does not conform to the Lutz Community Plan, which dictates building design.

Calvary Chapel Church, housed in an aluminum building of nearly 13,000 square feet, is a recent addition to Lutz.

"It's big and it's ugly and it's sitting right in our back yard. We had peace and quiet and this has turned our life upside down," neighbor Robert Glenz said.

At a land use hearing Feb. 22 before hearing officer James Scarola, school officials said they opened on the authority of the church's certificate of occupancy. Principal Hannah Vickery said a county code enforcement officer came by the school in November and was satisfied with the arrangement.

Several students also spoke in defense of the school.

"I think that Libertas Academy should stay," said student Jessica Baldwin. "I just started there and I have lots of friends and I learn lots of good things."

But both of Hillsborough's planning agencies - the county's Planning Commission and the county's department of planning and growth management - urged Scarola last week to effectively shut down the school by not approving its special use.

Scarola will have until March 14 to make his decision.

[Last modified February 29, 2008, 02:05:27]