Vienna council approves First Baptist Church lot-coverage modification to 48.5%

The Vienna Town Council voted unanimously March 23 to approve a site-plan modification allowing First Baptist Church (450 Orchard Street NW; tax map parcel 038302030039) to increase lot coverage from the previously approved 43% to 48.5%.

Deputy Director Kelly O'Brien summarized staff review and noted the work in question is already complete: roughly 4,500 square feet of additional parking added before 2014 and approximately 1,800 square feet of driveway added to reach two sheds. O'Brien said the additions did not trigger stormwater management requirements (the 2,500-square-foot threshold) and that the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. "This is just bringing the site into compliance," O'Brien said.

Council members asked whether the additions were inadvertent or permitted; staff said the changes appear to have occurred amid administrative turnover at the church rather than as deliberate noncompliance and that staff became aware of changes when inspecting the site. Trustee Monroe Neil Jr. of First Baptist told the council the lot is used by the church and the surrounding community and cited shared parking arrangements with local schools and community groups.

Councilor Springsteen moved to close the public hearing and approve the modification; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Several councilors suggested staff consider a future carve-out or policy adjustment for institutional uses so the town can treat such cases consistently.

Next steps: the town clerk will record the approval and the site will be brought into compliance with the updated lot-coverage figure approved by council.