Church proposal in Lake Avalon area set for public hearing

Scott Gentry will represent Discovery Church during a public hearing regarding the church's proposal at the Orange County Board of County Commission meeting Tuesday, March 24. 

Discovery Church wants a special exception to build a new 45,934-square-foot campus in the Lake Avalon Rural Settlement. The property is zoned A-1 Zoning District. It also is seeking a variance to allow grass parking in lieu of parking on an improved surface.

The church was gifted 19.97 acres on the northeast corner of McKinney Road and Rex Drive, west of Avalon Road and east of the Lake County line.

The church is seeking a special exception to allow a religious institution on the property, as well as a variance to allow grass parking in lieu of parking on an improved surface. 

The church is proposing a 45,934-square-foot, one-level building with 800 sanctuary seats and a 353-space parking lot with some grass spaces. 

During a community meeting for the proposal held in November, residents shared concerns about traffic, noise and institution size. 

The Board of Zoning Adjustment staff recommended approval of the special exception and variance in December and recommended approval to the Board of County Commission. 

The Board of County Commission's meeting is at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, at the Orange County Administration Center, 201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando.